Are you constantly yawning throughout the day? Have you been experiencing trouble concentrating or a general mental fog? Have you been told you snore loudly during the night? If these symptoms describe your situation, consider being evaluated for sleep apnea at our Plano dental practice. You might wonder what a dentist has to do with a sleep disorder. Well, your airways, jaw alignment, and tissues inside your mouth all come within the focus of a dental professional, because these systems are interconnected. Imbalances like the kind that cause mild to moderate sleep apnea can be addressed conservatively and effectively with oral appliance therapy from the dentists here at Texas Dental.
What is Sleep Apnea?
You need deep, restful sleep for your body and mind to function at their best. But when someone has sleep apnea, their sleep is interrupted many times per night by breathing stoppages of at least 10 seconds. The causes are diverse, but most often the lapses in breathing are due to an obstruction, which is why the most common form of sleep apnea is called Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA).
What’s the Problem?
Many factors may contribute to airway blockage, from the size of passages and oral or airway structures, to swelling of passageways or position of the tongue. Disrupted deep sleep can affect mood, health, and cause daytime sleepiness. The added stress and fatigue can cause lack of concentration, loss of memory, and accidents in the workplace or while driving. Other health risks include high blood pressure, numerous heart problems, and even strokes.
Non-Surgical Sleep Apnea Therapies
A few tests can determine whether you suffer from OSA, and if you have sleep apnea, our doctors can prescribe a highly effective appliance to wear while you sleep. Dental appliances like the Somnodent MAS from SomnoMed have proven more effective than surgery for many sleep apnea patients. How does it work? The appliance adjusts your jaw's position so it's properly aligned to prevent obstruction during the night. Comfortable and compact, a nightguard is the most conservative sleep apnea therapy available.
According to experts, sleep apnea is an under-diagnosed condition, and more men than women suffer, so a sleep apnea device like the SomnoDent MAS may improve your quality of life. It’s just another way the team at Texas Dental can keep you smiling.