Every aspect of your health and daily life are impacted by your quality of sleep; therefore, quality sleep helps you look, feel and perform your best, which is important to all of us! Having a sleep problem can be harmful to your health and well-being. Sleep Apnea is one of the most common sleep problems. We can help!
About Obstructive Sleep Apnea
Sleep apnea can cause you to stop breathing hundreds of times each night from anywhere from a few seconds to over a minute. Approximately 25 million adults in the U.S. suffer from this chronic condition.
Repeated breathing pauses occur when your muscles relax while sleeping, as soft tissue collapses and blocks the airway and reduces your oxygen levels. These breathing pauses are followed by brief awakenings that disturb your sleep.
Common signs of sleep apnea include gasping and snoring or choking sounds during sleep. Carrying excess body weight, a misaligned jaw or a narrow airway can all increase your risk. Sleep apnea and snoring are more common in men, but occur in women too, especially during and after menopause.
Is Treating Sleep Apnea Important?
When left untreated, sleep apnea and snoring can cause excessive fatigue or daytime sleepiness, as well as memory loss and morning headaches. It can also become a safety issue, as it increases your risk of at-work accidents and drowsy driving. Serious, long-term health problems can arise if your sleep apnea is not treated with the specialist, such as:
- Diabetes
- Stroke
- High blood pressure
- Heart disease
- Chronic acid reflux
- Erectile dysfunction
Oral Appliance Therapy for Sleep Apnea
Research shows that oral appliance therapy, or mouth guard, is an effective treatment option for sleep apnea and snoring. This mouth guard is worn only while you sleep and fits like an orthodontic retainer. These oral appliances support your jaw, to help maintain an open upper airway even as your muscles relax.
More than 100 oral appliances have received FDA clearance and dentist Dr. Skrobanek will recommend the device that is best for you. Oral appliance therapy is covered by many medical insurance plans.
Get Help
Talk to Dr. Skrobanek and the GPS Dental team about treatment options for sleep apnea and snoring. Ask if oral appliance therapy might be the right solution for you. Get help today to improve your sleep and your health!
Read more sleep apnea blogs by GPS Dental.
