Do you experience sleepiness or sluggishness during the day, trouble swallowing, snoring, dry mouth, waking up suddenly once you gasp or choke? These could be signs of sleep apnea, a serious disorder that occurs when you repeatedly stop and start breathing while slumbering. If not treated, sleep apnea can continue to make the symptoms worsen. You continue experiencing daytime tiredness, loud snoring, or serious problems such as high blood pressure and heart trouble.
Obstructive Sleep Apnea
Different types of sleep apnea exist, but the common one is obstructive sleep apnea. This occurs when the airways continually become partially or entirely blocked during slumber. Usually, the collapsing of the soft tissue at the back of the throat contributes to the blockage. As your body and chest muscles work hard to open the airways, you may start breathing with loud gasps or jerking your body. As a result, your sleep is affected and the flow of oxygen to vital organs is lowered. You may, as a result, have abnormal heart rhythms.
Dental Devices to Help with Sleep Apnea
A dentist or doctor may suggest you receive dental appliances such as tongue retraining mouthpieces as well as mandibular advancement devices (MADs) that look like sports mouthguards. MADs fit in your mouth by snapping at the upper and lower arches. They consist of metal hinges that work to connect these two pieces. One piece fits at the upper teeth and the other fits at the lower teeth. Wearing this device helps prevent the muscles of the throat from collapsing in your airways. This way, it allows better breathing when sleeping.
The tongue retaining mouthpiece is similar to the MAD, however, it contains a small compartment that fits over your tongue with suction. The suction keeps the tongue forward hence preventing it from collapsing back in your airways. An Oral and Maxillofacial specialist may also perform maxillomandibular advancement surgery (MMA) to reposition the jaw in the right way. Come to our OMS office to find out if you can benefit from maxillomandibular advancement surgery. Schedule your appointment.
Dental Blog | Lehigh Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery | Allentown, PA Check out the dental blog that Lehigh Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery in Allentown, PA put together to educate our patients. Lehigh Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, 1251 S Cedar Crest Blvd #311, Allentown, PA 18103 ^ (610) 435-6161 ^ lehighoms.com ^ 12/10/2024 ^ Associated Words: oral surgeon Allentown PA ^
Do you experience sleepiness or sluggishness during the day, trouble swallowing, snoring, dry mouth, waking up suddenly once you gasp or choke? These could be signs of sleep apnea, a serious disorder that occurs when you repeatedly stop and start breathing while slumbering. If not treated, sleep apnea can continue to make the symptoms worsen. You continue experiencing daytime tiredness, loud snoring, or serious problems such as high blood pressure and heart trouble.