At our Virginia Beach, VA, dentist’s office, we treat more than just teeth and gums. For instance, patients who experience obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) can often benefit from one of our custom-designed oral appliances, or sleep guards, that help address their condition comfortably and with optimal results. Sleep apnea can have a severely negative impact on your sleep cycle, leading to a variety of symptoms that include excessive daytime exhaustion.
What does having sleep apnea mean?
OSA is a condition that causes you to stop breathing periodically in your sleep. It occurs when mouth and throat tissues clog your airway, obstructing it until you can no longer breathe. Your body reacts by waking up and clearing the airway, though as you relax again, the obstruction occurs again. In fact, sleep apnea cycles can occur hundreds of times in a single night, even if you never realize that it’s happening.
Why it makes you so tired during the day
The hundreds of times that your body has to wake up in order to breathe again make it impossible for you to reach deep levels of sleep (i.e., R.E.M. sleep). You need to reach deep sleep for your mind and body to rest and recuperate properly. Because sleep apnea prevents this, you can experience increasing episodes of tiredness and exhaustion throughout the day, though you might still believe that you’re sleeping peacefully throughout the night.
What are your solutions?
After being diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea, you may have options for treating it. For instance, we may be able to custom-design a sleep guard that fits comfortably over your teeth and supports your lower jaw in a slightly forward position. This prevents your airway from becoming clogged, and therefore, the cessation of your breathing that constantly interrupts your sleep.
Regain your energy with sleep apnea treatment
If you’re feeling increasingly more tired every day, then find out if sleep apnea is to blame, and how a custom-designed appliance can help you address it. To learn more, schedule a consultation by calling the Absolute Dental Care office in Virginia Beach, VA, today at (757) 428-7440. We proudly welcome patients from Virginia Beach, Chesapeake, Norfolk, Suffolk, Hampton, Eastern Shore, and all surrounding communities.
