You know your dentist can help if you have a toothache, but did you know our doctor is an expert in pretty much everything involving your mouth and oral structures? That means he is also prepared to help you stop snoring and overcome sleep apnea to sleep soundly once again. After you receive a diagnosis for this common sleep breathing disorder, seek the help you need with sleep apnea treatment in Lancaster.
Sleep Apnea: An Overview
The most common form of sleep apnea is obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). It occurs when the soft tissues in your mouth (i.e. the tongue and the soft parts of the throat) become so relaxed during sleep that they block the airway, cutting off the smooth flow of oxygen from your lungs to the brain. OSA causes a sufferer to stop breathing hundreds of times per night, with each interruption lasting 10 seconds or longer. Over time, that adds up to a lot of lost oxygen to the brain. The health effects of sleep apnea are significant, and include heart disease, stroke, and even premature death.
Don’t live another day dealing with the exhausting side effects of sleep apnea. Learn about the condition’s symptoms, which include:
- Repeated jerking awake throughout the night (often observed by a partner)
- Loud, chronic snoring
- Fatigue and sleepiness throughout the day
- Dry mouth or sore throat upon waking
- And other symptoms
How Your Dentist in Lancaster Can Help
If you suspect you or a loved one are dealing with sleep apnea, your first step should be to visit your general doctor or a sleep clinic to be tested for a sleep breathing disorder. If you do receive a diagnosis for obstructive sleep apnea, you can visit your qualified dentist to begin discussing how to treat OSA.
You may be surprised to learn that you should visit your dentist for sleep apnea treatment, but a dentist like our doctor is a true expert in everything to do with your mouth. Because the cause and symptoms of snoring and OSA are located in and around your oral structures, your dentist is specially equipped to treat your sleep apnea.
Treatment for Sleep Apnea at Our dental office
At our dental office, our doctor can provide patients dealing with OSA with a customized nightguard. It treats the problem by holding your lower jaw and tongue in place while you sleep, preventing their collapse and keeping the airway clear for uninterrupted breathing. Therapy with a removable nightguard can provide an excellent alternative to CPAP, or continuous positive airway pressure therapy. CPAP is often the go-to treatment for OSA, but many patients to find dealing with the machine it requires to be more disruptive than the original sleep apnea symptoms.
Benefits of sleep apnea treatment with a removable oral device include:
- Portable
- Silent
- Comfortable
- Custom-fitted
- No special equipment needed
- Allows patients to sleep soundly once again
Request an Appointment Today!
Have you or a loved one recently received a diagnosis for sleep apnea in Lancaster? If so, do not delay in seeking the treatment you need. Request an appointment with our doctor at our dental office today!