Sleep Apnea And Snoring: Oral Devices To The Rescue

Snoring and sleep apnea go hand in hand as people with sleep apnea always tend to snore. However, not all snorers have sleep apnea. For the uninitiated, sleep apnea is a serious sleeping disorder that leads to interrupted breathing during sleep. In this blog, we will take a look at sleep apnea, snoring, and how dental appliances can help remedy the situation.

Sleep apnea and its types

According to the American Dental Association, there are two different types of sleep apnea, which can cause snoring and interrupted sleep. 

• Central Sleep Apnea: This condition occurs when there is a problem with how the brain signals the breathing muscles. Although the airway is not blocked, your brain fails to send signals to the muscles to breathe. This type is often seen along with conditions like brain tumors, heart failure, stroke, and brain infections.
• Obstructive Sleep Apnea:This is a more commonly seen type of apnea that is caused by blocked airflow during sleep. The trouble in breathing occurs when the soft tissue at the back of the throat collapses as you sleep. Several health conditions, including obesity, can lead to this issue.

Who can suffer from Sleep Apnea?

The following people have more chances to have sleep apnea. People who are: 

• Over 40
• Overweight
• Have large tonsils, large tongue, or small jaw
• Have a family history of sleep apnea
• Face nasal obstruction due to a deviated septum, allergies, or sinus problems.

How can Oral Devices Prevent Sleep Apnea?

People with mild or moderate obstructive sleep apnea can use dental appliances or oral mandibular advancement devices which advance the lower jaw forward and/or prevent the tongue from blocking the throat. These devices ensure that the airway is open during sleep. To get these devices, you need to visit a dentist who has expertise in oral appliances to purpose-build a device for you.

Some of the benefits of using oral devices include an improvement in symptoms of sleep apnea and a reduction of snoring. They are less cumbersome compared to CPAP and are easier to carry even on travels.

Although Sleep Apnea is a serious condition that can be dangerous for people, the advent of oral devices has enabled people with symptoms to get a comfortable night’s sleep. 

If you are suffering from Sleep Apnea or snoring, contact 20th Avenue and get a custom oral device to help you out.