When the airway is partially obstructed, we snore. It is because as we draw a breath, the opening it passes through is partially obstructed and the air rushes in faster, causing the surrounding tissues to vibrate and create the classic snoring sound.
Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is the most common type of sleep apnea and is caused by complete or partial obstructions of the upper airway. The biggest issue is the tongue falling back into the throat while we sleep.
When the airway is totally obstructed, we stop breathing. When we stop breathing, our blood oxygen levels drop, our heart speeds up, and our blood pressure increases. Think of running your car engine with no oil. Bad things happen. If our heart is healthy enough, we awaken suddenly, gasping for breath. Once we breathe, our heart rate drops and our blood oxygen goes up, and we fall back to sleep. Until the next time our tongue blocks our airway and the whole process cycles again. This can happen many times a night, and wreaks havoc on our organs as well as preventing us from getting restful sleep, when our body should be replenishing itself. If our heart is not healthy enough, it may stall out during one of these stressful apnea episodes, and we may never wake up.
Snoring & Sleep Apnea doesn't just affect you, it affects your entire family.
A dentist is the only medical professional who can adequately fabricate, fit and service an oral appliance. Dentists are in a unique position to screen and treat snoring and sleep apnea because patients tend to see their dentist more frequently than they see their physician. The first sign of sleep apnea is often tooth grinding. Dentists look for a small jaw, worn teeth, tongue with scalloped edges and redness in the throat.
Get the quality care you deserve by a properly trained dentist who is qualified to treat your Sleep Apnea at the highest level.
Dentists pioneered the use of oral appliance therapy for the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea and snoring in adults. A custom fit oral appliance is an effective treatment that prevents the airway from collapsing by supporting the jaw in a forward position.
