Obstructive Sleep Apnea is a sleep disorder characterized by abnormal pauses in breathing, or periods of very low breathing during sleep. These pauses, called apnea, last from a few seconds to minutes and can occur anywhere from 5 to 30 times a minute.
Daytime sleepiness is one of the major symptoms of sleep apnea due to the poor sleep quality. Other symptoms include loud and chronic snoring, choking during sleep, and long pauses in breathing during the night.
What Causes Sleep Apnea?
Obstructive Sleep Apnea is caused by a blocked or narrowed airway during sleep. This can be due to several factors including relaxed throat muscles, your tongue or tonsils, the shape of your head or neck, or being overweight.
Am I A Candidate For Obstructive Sleep Apnea Treatment?
If you are experiencing the symptoms listed above and believe you have sleep apnea, you can participate in a sleep study to determine if you are truly experiencing sleep apnea.
How Does a Dentist Treat My Obstructive Sleep Apnea?
There are many effective treatments for obstructive sleep apnea. A widely accepted treatment for sleep apnea is dental appliance therapy. We will custom fit you for an oral appliance right in our office that is designed to keep your airway open and help prevent apneas. This treatment does not involve drugs or surgery and helps thousands of people all over the world to enjoy healthier sleep and a healthier life.
Schedule An Appointment
At Maple Avenue Family Dentistry, we can help you with your sleep apnea. Schedule an appointment with us so we can begin treating you. Once you and your dentist decide oral appliance therapy is the right option for you, we will select from several comfortable and long-lasting appliances tailored to your specific needs. Contact Maple Avenue Family Dentistry today at (401) 247-2200.
