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Do you snore at night? Some people with sleep apnea dismiss snoring as no big deal or annoying at most, but snoring could be a sign of a serious health problem. Snoring often occurs when the upper airway is obstructed during sleep. This prevents air from entering the lungs, which causes breaks in a person’s breathing patterns.
As a result, the person may wake up dozens of times during the night and quickly go back to sleep, without even knowing it. Sleep apnea is a serious issue. It can leave you extremely tired during the day. You may feel drowsy and unproductive. You may lack concentration and have problems with memory.
You may have heard of CPAP. A continuous positive airway pressure machine uses a mask to deliver air pressure while you sleep. This keeps the passages in your upper airway open, preventing snoring. CPAP is very effective and works well for even the most severe cases of sleep apnea, which is why it is the most common form of treatment.
However, the biggest downside is that it can be very uncomfortable. The mask is strapped around your head, and if you’re a light sleeper, you may not be able to sleep well with it. With practice and patience, you can make it work by adjusting the straps so that they are tight but comfortable.
However, if you have tried to use the CPAP mask and you still cannot sleep well, don’t give up. Talk to your cpap doctors or dentist about other options. There are other devices you can use that may be more comfortable. Many people prefer oral appliances, which open your throat and promote more effective breathing. If other treatments have failed, surgery may be an option. Procedures such as tissue removal, jaw repositioning, implants, and nerve stimulation can help open up the airways and eliminate snoring.
For patients with mild to moderate obstructive sleep apnea, dental appliances or oral mandibular advancement devices can be made. It resembles a mouth guard used by athletes.
These can prevent the tongue from blocking the throat and/or advance the lower jaw forward. These devices help keep the airway open during sleep. A sleep specialist and dentist with expertise in oral appliances for this purpose should jointly determine if this treatment is best for you.
If you snore while asleep at night, you might have sleep apnea. This condition can be deadly if not treated, so see your dentist soon for help. Sleep apnea can be treated in various ways. If you have tried a CPAP machine in the past and found it uncomfortable, we can help you treat this condition.
Contact Dr. Gobran’s office today to schedule an examination. Call (508) 753-3200 or fill out the online form. We look forward to hearing from you soon!