If you have trouble resting at night and feel exhausted during the day, the cause could be a common issue known as sleep apnea. Without treatment, this could even impact your immune system and heart health! But your team at Delightful Dental Care in Kansas City, MO, talks about the importance of a sleep apnea appliance!
The Causes and Symptoms of Sleep Apnea
What causes an issue like sleep apnea? With this disorder, the soft tissues in the back of the throat become too relaxed and collapse, which cuts off airflow multiple times a night. This stops your breathing for a few seconds until the brain wakes you. While most people do not remember the waking episodes, they can interrupt your REM sleep several times and leave you feeling tired during the day.
Symptoms include daytime drowsiness, chronic snoring, headaches, dry mouth, irritability, and difficulty concentrating on tasks at work or school. Over time, this can also weaken your immune system and strain your heart health to increase the risk of high blood pressure, heart disease, and even stroke and heart attack.
Creating a Custom Oral Appliance
If we examine you and discover you have sleep apnea, we can help with an oral appliance. This is a noninvasive and surgical-free solution that also helps stop chronic snoring. Our team will take a detailed image of your bite, and use the images and measurements to custom-fit the device to your bite. When worn, this will fit like a mouthguard and is used while you sleep. Once in place, the device will gently shift your jaw and tongue forward to keep airways open and free of obstruction, so you breathe without interruption and wake up feeling more rested and refreshed. The oral appliance is easy to use, and simple to clean. If you travel, this can accompany you and ensure you rest well, even on the road.
Managing Your Rest
You can also make other changes to your sleep routine to help you rest easier. In addition to a custom device, be sure you rest on your side instead of your back, and try to go to bed and wake up at the same times daily to establish a routine, so you can fall asleep faster. Avoid caffeine, large meals, or vigorous exercise in the hour before bed. Try to be screen-free before bed too. These actions can help you feel more rested when you wake!
If you have any questions about treating your disorder with a sleep apnea appliance, then reach out to our team today!
Schedule Your Upcoming Visit with Delightful Dental Care
If you want to rest easy again, then talk about oral appliance treatment with Dr. Diana Tabakh, DDS. To schedule your appointment, please call Delightful Dental Care in Kansas City, MO at (816) 942-7669 today.