Sleep Apnea Is Treatable in Most Instances
Posted on 4/15/2025 by Oral Solutions NW |
 Sleep apnea is a common sleep disorder that affects millions of people worldwide. It occurs when your breathing repeatedly stops and starts during sleep. These interruptions can last for a few seconds to a few minutes, and they can happen dozens of times a night.
Sleep apnea can cause a variety of symptoms, including loud snoring, gasping for air during sleep, daytime fatigue, morning headaches, difficulty concentrating, irritability, and mood swings. In severe cases, sleep apnea can lead to serious health problems, such as high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, and even death.
If you think you might have sleep apnea, it's important to see a doctor or dentist for diagnosis and treatment. Untreated sleep apnea can lead to several serious health problems. Thankfully, sleep apnea is treatable in most instances.
Several different dental treatments can be used to treat sleep apnea, including:
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Oral appliance therapy: Oral appliances are small, lightweight devices that fit over your teeth like a retainer. They work by gently repositioning your jaw and tongue to keep your airway open while you sleep. |
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Mandibular advancement devices: Mandibular advancement devices are similar to oral appliances, but they only fit over your lower teeth. They work by moving your lower jaw forward, which helps to open up your airway. |
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Tongue retaining devices: Tongue retaining devices are designed to hold your tongue in a more forward position, which can help to prevent it from blocking your airway during sleep. |
These dental treatments are often effective in treating mild to moderate cases of sleep apnea. In some cases, they may be used in combination with other treatments, such as continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP).
In addition to these dental treatments, there are several things you can do at home to improve your sleep apnea symptoms. These include:
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Losing weight: Even a small amount of weight loss can significantly improve your sleep apnea symptoms. |
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Avoiding alcohol and sedatives: Alcohol and sedatives can relax the muscles in your throat, making it more likely that your airway will collapse during sleep. |
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Sleeping on your side: Sleeping on your back can make your sleep apnea symptoms worse. Try sleeping on your side instead. |
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Quitting smoking: Smoking irritates the airways and can worsen sleep apnea symptoms. Quitting smoking is one of the best things you can do for your overall health. |
If you have sleep apnea, it's important to talk to your doctor or dentist about treatment options. With the right treatment, you can get a good night's sleep and improve your overall health.
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