Stop Snoring: C-PAP-free options
Sleep apnea can be experienced as a real nightmare at night and a severe headache the next morning. Fortunately, dental appliances are one of the best therapeutic options for this condition, working as a tongue stabilizer during deep sleep. Find out how they work and why you should opt for one if your breathing stops while sleeping.
Snoring and sleep apnea can be evaluated by a 3D image.
What Is Sleep Apnea?
Also called obstructive sleep apnea, sleep apnea consists of partial or total airway closure when sleeping, leading to breathing interruption and brief awakenings during the night.
This condition affects between 2 to 9% of adults, and most do not know they have it. It is up to four times more common in men than in women and even more common in overweight/obese people.
Symptoms of Sleep Apnea
The symptoms are closely related to a bad night's sleep or simply a lack of sleep. Being the most common the following day:
Sore throat upon awakening
Dry mouth upon awakening
Unexplained fatigue
Daytime drowsiness
Headache
Lack of concentration
The person with the condition is the one who experiences these symptoms. Still, other nighttime signs are noticed by the bed partner, such as:
Loud snoring
Choking, gasping, or snorting during sleep
Restless sleep
Trouble staying asleep
The bed partner is the first to notice the symptoms and report them, being snoring almost always the first complaint. Thus, sleep apnea is a common cause of sleep problems for the partner as well.
What Does Sleep Apnea Have To Do With Dentistry?
It has to do a lot, as the condition is usually caused by anatomical problems in the mouth, such as:
A "filled in" oropharynx by a short or receding jaw
Prominent tongue base or tonsils
Roundhead shape and a short neck
A neck circumference > 43 cm (> 17 inches)
Thick pharyngeal walls
Lateral parapharyngeal fat pads
Oral appliances for sleep apnea seek to fix these flaws and hold the tongue in place to prevent breathing stops.
Advantages of Sleep Apnea Dental Appliances
Oral appliances prevent the tongue from moving and keep the airway open during the night. The appliance should be placed at night, before going to bed, and worn all night while sleeping.
They resemble the mouth guards that athletes wear to protect their teeth while pushing or pulling the lower jaw forward. By doing this, the tongue is in a position where it does not block the airway and thus reduces the risk of closing it.
In general, they are convenient, secure, and effective devices. The best thing is that neither you need to wear them during the day but only at bedtime.
Are Oral Appliances For Sleep Apnea Uncomfortable?
No, oral appliances should not be uncomfortable. They are intended to fit your jaw according to its size, so they should not cause any side effects or discomfort while using.
What Is The Most Effective Oral Appliance For Sleep Apnea?
The first step is to consult your healthcare provider, who will refer you to a sleep specialist to determine the severity of your sleep apnea. This evaluation requires an all-night study after you will have a follow-up appointment.
The sleep specialist will then refer you to a dentist if you decide to try an oral appliance, who will provide you with the best device suited to your mouth shape. The more fitted to your mouth, the more effective the appliance will be.
Reasons To Get Your Sleep Apnea Treated Now
The dangers of untreated obstructive sleep apnea not only include fatigue and daytime tiredness. Metabolic problems (due to obesity), increased risk of diabetes mellitus, high blood pressure, liver problems, and sudden death during nighttime (in severe cases) can also be outcomes.