Looking to learn how our dental team can help treat sleep apnea? You’ve come to the right place!
Keep reading to learn what counts as sleep apnea, how we here at Petrolia Dental in South Edmonton successfully treat it, and what our team of dental experts recommend to combat it at home.
First Things First: What is Sleep Apnea?
Sleep apnea is defined as a sleep condition during which breathing stops and starts throughout the night. This is most commonly punctuated by gasping or choking sounds.
Common symptoms include:
- Emitting gasping or choking sounds while sleeping
- Chronic tiredness
- Snoring followed by pauses
- Frequent headaches after waking
- Poor concentration
- Memory loss
- Frequent urination throughout the night
- Chronic dry throat or mouth
In addition, there are three separate types of this condition.
Obstructive
Caused when the airway at the back of the throat becomes physically blocked, this obstruction triggers temporary lapses in breathing.
Central
When there are complications with the brain’s system for controlling the functions involved in breathing, breaths become slower and shallower during sleep.
Mixed-Sleep
A combination of both central sleep apnea and obstructive sleep apnea.
How Our Dental Team Can Help Treat Sleep Apnea
Because obstructive sleep apnea, the most common type, is characterized by airflow blockages, we utilize custom dental appliances that are worn throughout the night to correct mild-to-moderate obstructive sleep apnea.
This relieves the sleep apnea caused by tongue pressure on the airway or incorrect positioning of the jaw, both of which can trigger obstructive sleep apnea. This convenient custom appliance is removable and resembles a sports mouth guard.
For central sleep apnea, mixed-sleep apnea, or severe cases of obstructive sleep apnea, a CPAP ventilator coursing air through a mask is the recommended treatment. This can be combined with a custom dental appliance.
How You Can Treat it at Home
In addition to your custom sleep apnea dental appliance, there are other at-home inclusions that can help alleviate your sleep apnea symptoms.
Utilize a Humidifier
Adding moisture to the air can work to soothe the respiratory system, open your airways, and diminish congestion. Having a humidifier run while sleeping can help keep your throat and mouth from drying out.
Sleep on Your Side
Studies have shown that sleeping on one’s back can worsen sleep apnea symptoms. Sleeping on the side can help loosen blocked airways and encourage steady breathing.
Looking to Correct Your Sleep Apnea?
Contact us today!