Your rest plays an integral role in your life, and when it’s not at its best, you can tell. If your friends and family have started to bring up their concern over your loud or aggressive snoring, your issues could be a sign of a common sleep disorder known as chronic obstructive sleep apnea, which affects approximately 30 million Americans on a nightly basis. This condition happens in your deepest form of sleep, when your body relaxes so much that your throat can actually block you from breathing.
At Sunny Smiles, we understand that the people of El Paso struggle with their sleep. That’s why we offer a simple solution to sleep apnea that doesn’t rely on hoses and wires to be effective. Instead, oral appliance therapy uses a slight adjustment of the jaw to keep the airway free of obstructions, helping patients to breathe easy and experience the health advantages of a full night of rest.
Discover oral appliance therapy. Call Sunny Smiles today to schedule your next appointment.
What Is Obstructive Sleep Apnea, Anyway?
If you’ve been struggling with your sleep, it’s important to talk to your healthcare providers about your situation. Loud or intrusive snoring can be a sign of a common sleep disorder called obstructive sleep apnea, and this condition can affect both your daily experience and your long-term health. But what really is sleep apnea, and do you have risk factors for this sleep disorder?
Chronic obstructive sleep apnea happens in our deepest form of sleep called rapid eye movement (REM). During this period of sleep, our bodies relax significantly, and while it’s a valuable part of your rest, it can sometimes pose problems. If the tissue within your throat becomes too soft, it can start to block your airway, preventing you from receiving the oxygen you need to thrive. That increases the risk of sleep apnea patients in experiencing heart attack, stroke, and more.
Oral Appliance Therapy Works In A Different Way
Sometimes, patients avoid bringing up their chronic obstructive sleep apnea because they don’t want the hoses and wires of traditional CPAP. We completely understand that feeling. It’s why we offer oral appliance therapy, which works in a different way to treat sleep apnea.
With oral appliance therapy, patients receive a slim mouthguard-like device. This appliance shifts the placement of the jaw during sleep to prevent throat obstruction. And best of all, you can take it with you wherever you go, so feel free to take a nap on the beach.
Discover Oral Appliance Therapy At Sunny Smiles
When your rest doesn’t work, talk to our office about whether oral appliance therapy is right for you. To find out more about sleep apnea treatment, call Sunny Smiles Family Dentistry at 915.849.9000 today.