How your dentist can help treat Sleep Apnea

Did you know that roughly 25 million Americans suffer from sleep apnea? Those who suffer from this condition experience uneven breathing while sleeping. Quite often, their breathing will stop completely, then suddenly start once more. This can deprive your body of optimal oxygen levels, resulting in loud snoring, which can disturb other members of your household.

Fortunately, dentists can help treat sleep apnea with treatments such as oral appliance therapy. If you are in Annandale, Virginia, or the surrounding area, contact Dr. Richard Fischer at Evergreen Dental Wellness, for effective sleep apnea treatments.

What causes sleep apnea?

Few things are more important than a restful night’s sleep. If you don’t get enough rest, you may find yourself groggy, irritable, and less productive come morning. This could affect your personal relationships, career, and overall health.

Some causes of sleep apnea include:

• Being overweight
• Consuming alcohol before bedtime
• Aging
• Family history

How dentists treat sleep apnea

One of the most effective ways to treat sleep apnea is with oral appliance therapy. Since dentists are oral health experts, they can help patients find the right appliance to treat their specific case of sleep apnea.

A common cause of sleep apnea is the tongue blocking the airways. Fortunately, your dentist can provide tongue retaining devices that fit well in your mouth to hold your tongue in place. These devices consist of a splint that holds the tongue in a forward position.

Perhaps more common, however, is a mandibular repositioning device. This oral device looks somewhat similar to a sports mouthguard and can be used to posture both your lower jaw and tongue keeping your airways clear. In turn, this reduces disruption to your breathing and helps you maintain steady, consistent breathing throughout the night.

Many sleep apnea patients use CPAP machines. While these machines are often effective at preventing snoring and troubled breathing, the mask that accompanies it can often be uncomfortable to wear. Some machines are also quite loud and can disrupt your and your family’s sleep, which is why many patients prefer oral appliance therapy.

Dentist for sleep apnea in Annandale, VA

If you want to get your sleep schedule back on track, consider visiting a dentist for effective sleep apnea treatments with oral appliance therapy. To schedule, an appointment with Evergreen Dental Wellness in Annandale, VA, new patients can call 703-215-9630. If you are an existing patient, you can reach us at 703-256-4441.