What is Obstructive Sleep Apnea, and What Are the Treatment Options Available?

For most of us, we don’t know how well we sleep until we wake up the following day. We don’t realize we stop breathing as we sleep. We are either jerked out of a dead sleep because we aren’t breathing, or someone wakes us up for snoring too loud.

Kellerman Dental in Glen Carbon, Illinois, provides residents with dental treatment for sleep apnea that is a comfortable way to address your sleep apnea issues. If used correctly, dental treatment for sleep apnea can be just as effective as using a CPAP machine.

What is Obstructive Sleep Apnea?

Obstructive sleep apnea is a condition in which you stop breathing many times a night because your tongue tends to fall back and obstruct your airway. Your airway can also be obstructed by inflamed tonsils and inflammation that results from clogged sinuses. If you continually stop breathing throughout the night, your body and brain will not get the oxygen it needs to function efficiently. This can lead to many health problems that will worsen over time.

How Can Oral Appliance Therapy Help?

When it comes to correcting the cause of sleep apnea, the key is keeping the bottom jaw far enough forward that your tongue cannot fall backward and block your airway. The oral appliance has a small hinge that can be tightened to hold your lower jaw in place while you sleep. This also allows the device to be adjusted as needed.

Do Mouthguards Work?

Many people use mouthguards to help them correct their sleep apnea problems. While mouthguards may be able to hold your jaw in place, they are not adjustable. This means that you may need to be fitted for new mouthguards as your mouth changes or if your condition gets worse. Regular visits to your dentist will allow your dentist to monitor your sleep apnea and determine if changes need to be made. Mouthguards have many purposes, but it may be more effective to have an actual oral appliance for your sleep apnea.

Monitoring Is Important

Sleep apnea is a severe health condition. Not receiving proper care can lead to long-term health concerns that continually worsen over time. Visiting your dentist regularly, sometimes two or three times a year, may be needed to ensure the oral appliance therapy is working. Adjustments can be made to the appliance to ensure the fit is correct and you can get the sleep you need. With careful monitoring, you will sleep comfortably for several hours.

Drs. Kellerman, Brenton Ruopp, and Caroline Connolly are available to offer dental treatment for sleep apnea in Glen Carbon, Illinois. At Kellerman Dental, existing patients can call 618-288-3535, while new patients should use their 618-228-3100 number. Scheduling an appointment with your dentist will provide you with a comfortable way to address your sleep apnea issues. Call and schedule your first appointment today!

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