Getting a good night’s sleep is the key to being energized and ready for a full day. However, for people who suffer from sleep apnea, a good night’s sleep is rarely achievable. When sleep apnea causes patients to lose sleep over snoring or breathing problems, symptoms like fatigue and headaches can set in, causing people to experience unproductive and uncomfortable days.
Luckily, Gentle Dental Care offers dental appliances to treat sleep apnea patients that can help reduce their symptoms and get a good night’s sleep.
What Is Sleep Apnea?
Sleep apnea is a sleep disorder where a person’s breathing repeatedly stops and starts during sleep. The number one symptom of sleep apnea is snoring. However, other symptoms of this condition can affect a person’s daily life if left untreated.
The three types of sleep apnea are:
- Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) – occurs when throat muscles relax and block the flow of air into the lungs.
- Central sleep apnea (CSA) – occurs when the brain doesn’t send proper signals to the muscles that control breathing.
- Treatment-emergent central sleep apnea – refers to patients who have been diagnosed with OSA but transition to CSA when receiving treatment for OSA.
Who Is Most Prone to Sleep Apnea?
Men are more likely than women to develop sleep apnea. However, women are still capable of developing this condition, especially if they are overweight or going through menopause. While sleep apnea is more common in adults, about three percent of children can suffer from sleep apnea if they typically snore while sleeping.
What Are Sleep Apnea Symptoms?
Sleep apnea symptoms not only disrupt sleep at night but can also interfere with proper function during the day. These symptoms can include:
- Fatigue
- Loud snoring
- Snoring that wakes you up at night
- Stopped breathing during sleep
- Gasping for air or choking in the middle of the night
- Waking up with dry mouth or sore throat
- Morning headaches
- Inability to focus during the day
- Daytime sleepiness
- Changes in mood
How Can Sleep Apnea Be Treated?
At Gentle Dental Care, we provide patients who experience sleep apnea symptoms with Mandibular Advancement Devices (MADs). These custom-fitted mouthpieces keep the jaw arranged, stopping the tongue from blocking a patient’s airway during sleep. By keeping the jaw, tongue, and mouth in this position, the airway for breathing remains clear while sleeping, preventing sleep apnea symptoms such as snoring and allowing for a more restful night of sleep.
Because MADs will be custom-fitted to each patient’s mouth, patients can expect they will be comfortable, adjustable, and reusable. MADs are an excellent option for sleep apnea patients who cannot use a CPAP machine to treat their condition.
What Happens If Sleep Apnea Is Left Untreated?
While sleep apnea may not sound as severe as other health conditions, if left untreated, sleep apnea can lead a patient to experience more chronic, life-altering conditions. Studies show that sleep apnea symptoms and constant nights without proper sleep can lead to health conditions such as high blood pressure, which will, in turn, lead to more severe conditions such as Type 2 Diabetes, strokes, or heart attacks.
If you or someone you know suffers from sleep apnea symptoms, contact Gentle Dental Care today for treatment.
Schedule a Consultation at Gentle Dental Care
At Gentle Dental Care, our highly experienced team of doctors is among the most trusted dental professionals in New Jersey. With a high priority for patient comfort and satisfaction, they are proud to help patients recover from sleep apnea and finally achieve a full night’s sleep. To schedule your consultation for sleep apnea treatment, click here or call 732.549.5660 to reach a member at our office in Edison, NJ.
