Any person who’s had a bad night’s sleep can appreciate this sentiment. The CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) reports that 70 percent of American adults complain of losing sleep at least once a month, and over 10 percent report that they don’t get enough sleep every night. This issue is serious on its own but also aggravates other chronic health problems such as hypertension, diabetes, obesity, depression, heart attack, and stroke. Of all the conditions that interfere with a good night’s sleep, sleep apnea is among the worst, and your dentist at Advanced Dentistry By Design can help.
What Is Sleep Apnea?
While you’re sleeping, your breathing should be slow and regular. But if you experience a pause of more than 10 seconds between breaths, you may have sleep apnea. The most common of the two forms of sleep apnea is the obstructive type. The essential cause is a constricted airway between your mouth, throat, and lungs.
You can think of your airway as a garden hose. When the hose is limp and worn, it may naturally narrow, decreasing the flow enough that you can hardly wash your car or water the flowers. The answer in the case of your yard might be to replace the hose, but that won’t work for your airway. Instead, we must rejuvenate your existing tissues by repositioning your mouth and jaw, improving your nasal breathing. Breathing through your nose is actually preferable to mouth breathing when it comes to a rejuvenating and complete night’s sleep.
The Solutions to Sleep Apnea
The first step to treating sleep apnea is to ensure it has been diagnosed correctly. This may involve a sleep specialist and participation in a sleep study, combined with our own analysis of your sleep habits. The most common treatment for sleep apnea is a continuous positive airway pressure, or CPAP machine. While this is for the most impacted of people with sleep apnea, another therapy is using a specialized oral appliance designed to reposition your jaw and tongue to reopen your airway.
Ready for a Good Night’s Sleep? Contact Us Today
Remember, sleep apnea can impact a person of any age; even children can suffer its effects. If you think you could be a sufferer, you don’t have to tolerate living only half-awake. Contact our office and schedule a consultation. Your lifetime of better sleep can start today.