June 16, 2016
There are many reasons why you can wake up feeling less than well rested; stress, poor sleep schedules, and bad eating habits to name a few. However, there is a condition that affects nearly 20 million Americans – over 87% of those cases remaining undiagnosed – that is causing rampant grogginess across the country.
Sleep apnea is characterized by frequent breaks or pauses in breathing during sleep that disrupts rest.
There are three main types of sleep apnea- obstructive, central and complex.
If you believe you may be suffering from sleep apnea, contact your dentist. Exceptional dental offices, in addition to offering traditional dentistry and cosmetic dentistry, will also offer Sleep Apnea appliances and treatment for mild to moderate cases.
Worn only during sleep, an oral sleep apnea appliance is custom fitted and is worn just like a sports mouth guard or an orthodontic retainer. Oral sleep apnea appliances are prescribed for mild to moderate sleep apnea and snoring caused by a repetitive obstruction to the airway, ONLY. It is designed to support the jaw in a forward position, maintaining an open upper airway.
If during your consultation with your dentist, you are prescribed with moderate to severe sleep apnea, you may be referred to a sleep specialist for a formal diagnosis and alternative care solutions.