Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) could prevent you from obtaining a good night’s rest. You could feel exhausted during the day, and this could impact your work and social interactions. But your overall health is at risk too! In today’s blog, your Virginia Beach, VA, dentist talks about our comfortable and noninvasive treatment for sleep apnea.
The Causes and Complications of OSA
With OSA, you actually stop breathing for brief periods multiple times a night. The brain then wakes you to resume breathing, even though you usually won’t remember this interruption to your sleep cycle. The cessation of breathing occurs when soft tissues in the throat and mouth become too relaxed and collapse, cutting off airflow as you sleep. Factors behind the disorder could include obesity, large neck circumference, sinus and allergy concerns, deviated septum, and issues with the growth and development of your oral structures. Without treatment, this could mean worsening exhaustion, as well as a strained immune system. More frequent illness is possible. The stress on your cardiovascular system could also mean an increased risk of high blood pressure, heart disease, even heart attack and stroke.
Signs of Trouble and Easing Symptoms
How do you know if you’re suffering from OSA? Common symptoms include waking up suddenly in the night choking or gasping for air, dry mouth in the mornings, headaches, and daytime exhaustion and irritability. You could also experience chronic snoring. When these symptoms develop, let us know so we can conduct a diagnosis with precision and accuracy. Our team will then recommend the perfect treatment option. You can also ease symptoms by maintaining a regular sleep schedule, resting on your side instead of your back, and avoid caffeine, large meals, excessive amounts of alcohol, or vigorous exercise in the two hours before bed.
Treatment Options
For treatment, we can offer an alternative to the cumbersome and loud CPAP machine. Instead, our team will create an oral appliance. The device will be custom-made based on the detailed digital images we take of your smile. When custom-fitted for your smile, it will fit comfortably and then shift your jaw forward to prevent the collapse of soft tissues. You then avoid symptoms and enjoy an uninterrupted night of rest.
If you have any questions about how our team diagnoses and treats concerns like OSA, or if you’re ready to obtain a good night’s rest again, then contact our team today to learn more.
Talk to Your Virginia Beach, VA, Dentist About Oral Appliance Therapy
We want to make sure you and your family can rest easy and find relief from OSA symptoms. Call Absolute Dental Care in Virginia Beach, VA at 757-428-7440 to schedule an appointment for your family soon!
