When you snore every night, or often feel exhausted during the day, you could be suffering from a disorder known as obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Not only does this leave you tired, but this could impact your immune and cardiovascular system. In today’s blog, your Auburn Hills, MI, dentist talks about our snore guards.
The Causes of Snoring and Sleep Apnea
We often snore when air passages have been partially blocked by soft tissues. As air is forced through, these tissues vibrate and it creates a loud sound. Sleep apnea on the other hand, occurs when the air passages have been completely blocked by the tissues in the rear of the mouth and in the throat. This blockage then prevents you from breathing. The brain wakes you due to the sudden drop in oxygen, and you resume breathing again. While you may not remember this happening, it happens hundreds of times a night and the constant interruptions to your sleep cycle could leave you exhausted.
Warning Signs
Risk factors for the disorder include large neck circumferences, obesity, sleeping on your back, excessive consumption of alcohol, deviated septum, and sinus and allergy issues. While this can impact men and women of any age, men 55 and older have an especially high risk. Warning signs could vary, but may include chronic snoring, headaches, dry mouth, daytime exhaustion, and waking suddenly on the night choking or gasping for air. You could also feel irritable and have trouble focusing on tasks at work or school. Without treatment this could leave you feeling tired and strain your immune system so more frequent illness is possible. In addition, over the long-term OSA could strain your cardiovascular health, increasing the risk of high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, and heart attack.
Creating and Using a Snore Guard
To offer relief, we could take a noninvasive route with an oral appliance. This is crafted based on detailed images we take of your smile and jaw, which we employ in a lab setting to design and craft the appliance. The device will be worn as you sleep like a mouthguard, but it actually repositions your jaw to prevent the collapse of soft tissues and to allow you to breathe without interruption as you sleep. You can also help by laying on your side instead of your back, and maintaining a good sleep schedule. If you have any questions about treating issues like snoring and sleep apnea, then contact our team today to learn more.
Obtain a Good Night’s Rest
Contact Advanced Dental Concepts in Auburn Hills, MI by calling 248-852-1820 to schedule your next appointment with our team and learn how we help our patients sleep easier and enjoy a better quality of life.
