Did Your Dentist Recommend Sleep Apnea Therapy To You?

If you suffer from sleep apnea during the night, your dentist may recommend you undergo sleep apnea therapy soon. Sleep apnea is a disorder that affects the way you breathe or inhale air at night. The condition causes a number of symptoms to occur in adults, including poor concentration and stress. Learn more about sleep apnea and why you may need therapy for it below.

How Does Sleep Apnea Affect Adults?

Adults require over seven hours of sleep per night. However, sleep apnea can greatly affect how much sleep adults receive at night. People who suffer from sleep apnea may become agitated and frustrated with their lack of sleep. The sleep disorder can also cause other health issues to occur in people, including hypertension and stroke.

A number of things cause sleep apnea in adults, including restricted nasal passages. The passageways within the nasal cavity may be too narrow or small for air to pass through them properly. The sleep disorder may also occur in adults who suffer from poor muscle control in their throats. The muscles in the throat should be open or clear when you sleep. If the muscles become soft, flaccid, or too relaxed, they can prevent air from moving through your nasal passages as well. People who have these issues tend to snore at night.

Sleep apnea can eventually affect your dental health. People who suffer from the condition often develop bruxism. Bruxism makes you grind your teeth or clench your jaw at night. Bruxism can break down the enamel on your teeth as well as place tremendous stress on your jaw. If bruxism isn't treated right away, it can cause tooth loss and temporomandibular joint disorder. 

If you suffer from any of the symptoms above, take your dentist's advice and undergo sleep apnea therapy soon.

How Can Sleep Apnea Therapy Help You?

A dentist offers several types of therapy for sleep apnea, including oral appliances. Oral appliances, such as mouth guards and micro anti-snoring devices, keep the nasal and throat passages open during sleep. When used regularly, mouth guards and anti-snoring devices can help control or keep the symptoms of sleep apnea from occurring at night.

Before a dentist chooses the right sleep apnea oral appliance for you, they'll need to measure your mouth and jaw. Appliances like mouth guards must fit inside your jaw properly. If the appliance doesn't fit comfortably in your mouth, it won't keep your throat open during the night. 

You may need to wear your oral appliance during naps as well. Sleep apnea can occur anytime you sleep, including during naps. If you have questions about your appliance or when to wear it, consult a dentist for answers.

Learn more about sleep apnea oral appliance therapy by contacting a dentist today.