How To Get Relief From Sleep Apnea By Consulting A Dentist?

If you are wondering who you should approach to get rid of sleep apnea, the answer is a dental practice. Whenever you notice anyone in your family snoring loudly at night, it means they are suffering from sleep apnea. It requires a thorough medical investigation and medication.  

Sleep apnea is a sleep disorder that is characterized by snores, gasps, and dry mouth. A patient suffering from sleep apnea gets temporary obstructions in their throat, which leads to breathing difficulties. You should contact a Cottonwood-based dentist immediately for help. You can learn more about the dentist and their services here.   

If OSA (Obstructive Sleep Apnea) remains unchecked, it can lead to high blood pressure and cardiac problems.

Here are brief details about some of the latest dental devices that you can use to get relief from OSA. However, don’t use any device without consulting an experienced dentist.

Dental Devices And Oral Appliances To Cure Sleep Apnea

Mandibular Advancement Appliances

These devices are made of hard plastic to snap over your upper teeth and lower teeth. Some of these devices may contain metal hinges to reconstruct your lower jaw. 

Based on the severity of your Sleep Apnea problem, your dentist will suggest you appropriate solution. Some dental care practitioners may suggest you opt for a custom oral appliance to get help. 

However, before using any such appliance, make sure that your dentist is well-experienced and has expertise or certification in curing sleep-related breathing disorders.

Mouth Guards

These types of oral appliances are also trending these days. These devices are used to reposition your lower jaw. Talk to your dentist to know more about the device. Mouth guards are also available online on e-commerce portals and medical stores. But get the device checked and inspected by your dentist first before you start using it. 

The usual process is to put the device in boiling water for a couple of minutes. You need to bite down on the softened plastic so it can easily get molded to your teeth. 

Tongue-Retaining Oral Appliances

These oral devices contain a soft plastic splint that you need to place around your tongue. It holds your tongue moving forward and out of your mouth throughout the night, but it can create your mouth and throat very dry. 

But still, you shouldn’t use any of the dental appliances arbitrarily even if you are suffering from mild sleep apnea. Consult your dentist first before making any decision. 

In Conclusion

When you talk to your dentist about your snoring problem, they may not immediately advise you to use oral appliances. A dental caregiver will first check your teeth and gum thoroughly. Then they will try to analyze your sleeping pattern and the snoring problems.

If your problem is severe and followed by symptoms such as frequent headaches, sore throat, dry mouth, lack of concentration, and irritability, you can use the device. Get all your doubts cleared before leaving the dental clinic about sleep apnea. Use your oral appliance as exactly as specified by your dentist.