If you are one of the many adult dental patients who suffer from obstructive sleep apnea, then you probably already know that sleep apnea can make it difficult to live a happy and healthy life.
Our Saint Louis sleep apnea dentists have helped hundreds of patients overcome sleep apnea symptoms and enjoy high-quality, restful sleep. Before we talk about sleep apnea treatment options, let’s review the root cause of sleep apnea symptoms.
Sleep apnea prevents your body from getting enough oxygen when you are asleep. Basically, once you fall asleep, your oral tissues relax, and fall into your airway. As you try to breathe, your oral tissues cause an obstruction, making it difficult for you to inhale.
Patients who suffer from sleep apnea frequently experience:
· Loud, disruptive snoring
· Choking sensations—you may actually gasp or choke yourself awake during the night
· Chronic fatigue
· Concentration problems
· Headaches—these are most likely to occur at night or in the morning, and the pain may radiate down to your neck and upper back
· Nighttime dry mouth
Low oxygen levels due to obstructive sleep apnea cause your body to temporarily wake throughout the night, so that you can jumpstart your breathing process. This disruption prevents you from completing your normal REM sleep cycle.
In order to address these issues, our dental team creates customized oral appliances for our sleep apnea patients. The patient simply puts this mouthpiece in at night, and the oral appliance keeps the patient’s airway clear. These oral devices are comfortable, simple to use, and highly effective.
The sooner that you seek treatment for obstructive sleep apnea, the better your long-term health prognosis is likely to be. So call our Saint Louis sleep apnea dentists when you are ready to get started reclaiming the healthy sleep that you need to feel great!