Did you know that snoring can be a sign of sleep apnea?
is a disorder that causes you to stop breathing several times a night, which can be life-threatening. The good news is that our dentists can create a custom oral appliance to keep your airway open while you sleep.
If you suspect you have obstructive sleep apnea, your first step is to call our office. Our dentists will want to examine your head, neck, and throat. They’ll also refer you to a specialist for sleep testing.
Most people with obstructive sleep apnea are carrying extra weight. As the soft tissues in the back of the throat relax and collapse, the air isn’t able to pass through. When this happens, a person with sleep apnea may wake up suddenly to snort, gasp, or sputter. Often, a person with sleep apnea may wake up several times during the night and not remember.
Our dentists will look through your medical history to see if you have risk factors for sleep apnea. For example, overweight men over the age of 40 are at higher risk for obstructive sleep apnea. Yet, you don’t have to match all the risk factors to have sleep apnea.
We can create a sleep apnea mouth guard to bring your jaw forward and widen your airway. Many of our patients find that their sleep apnea devices also help them stop snoring. This is because the soft tissue at the back of the throat isn’t able to vibrate as you breathe.
You may also have more energy during the day since your sleep isn’t getting interrupted. In other words, a sleep apnea device from our office can help you enjoy a better quality of life.
Call our office today to learn how to get your own sleep apnea mouth guard.
Diagnosis typically requires a sleep study that monitors your breathing, heart rate, and brain activity overnight.
Common treatments include CPAP machines, oral appliances, lifestyle changes, and in severe cases, surgery.
CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure) delivers steady air pressure through a mask to keep airways open during sleep.
Yes, custom oral appliances can reposition the jaw and tongue to keep airways open for mild to moderate cases.
Untreated sleep apnea increases risks of high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, and daytime accidents.
Our , are accepting new patients! To request an appointment and learn more about our sleep apnea devices, call the Grandville Dental Health Center at (616) 739-6001.