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About 22 million Americans suffer from sleep apnea, which means a lot of noisy sleepers and a lot of tired people. However, sleep apnea shouldn't stop you from sharing a bed with someone, and it shouldn't prevent anyone from getting a good night's sleep.
In Long Beach, California, Southern California General & Cosmetic Dentistry provides custom night guards for those with sleep apnea, and these guards prevent the throat from closing. This helps with snoring and ensures that the wearer (and their bedmate) get the rest they need.
Sleep apnea is a chronic condition where the sufferer stops breathing in their sleep. This can be caused by central sleep apnea, which occurs when the brain fails to signal the muscles to breathe, or obstructive sleep apnea, which is when the airway collapses.
Obstructive sleep apnea is the more common form of this condition, and it causes snoring. The sufferer snores because their airway closes off, and they're still trying to breathe through it.
Those with sleep apnea usually wake up choking or gasping up to 30 times per hour throughout the night. They might not remember waking up, but they fail to enter restorative deep sleep every time they have to rouse themselves. Some people don’t even realize they have sleep apnea until someone else informs them.
Sleep apnea causes more than just snoring, however. It can lead to:
Long-term sleep deprivation can cause further complications and health risks. It’s recommended that you seek treatment before the issue begins to seriously affect your life.
An oral appliance is just a night guard that you wear in your mouth. This appliance keeps your airways open so you can breathe easily as you sleep. It keeps your jaw in place, which prevents your throat from closing. This reduces snoring and improves the quality of your sleep.
You won't have to wake up throughout the night to catch your breath, and your body won't have to stay in light sleep to wake you in case you stop breathing. This allows you to fall into a restful deep sleep, which restores your body, improves your mood and energy levels, and allows your brain to recover.
Some people worry that oral appliances will be uncomfortable to wear during sleep. While they take some getting used to, oral appliances for sleep apnea are custom-made for your teeth and jaw. This allows the appliance to fit comfortably in your mouth. Eventually, you stop feeling it, and the restful sleep is worth it.
If you think an oral appliance can help you catch some z’s, you can get one fitted by Dr. Ryan Fait. To contact Southern California General & Cosmetic Dentistry, call us or book an appointment online.
