Effective Sleep Apnea Treatment
from Knowledgeable Experts
Millions of individuals with undiagnosed sleep apnea experience poor sleep and low energy levels and are unsure why. The team of dentists at Advanced Dental Care can evaluate your symptoms and provide advanced sleep apnea treatment at their Valdosta, GA, office. Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) occurs when by the soft tissues in the back of the mouth and throat hinder or completely block the airway, dramatically limiting the body's oxygen intake.
Our patients have experienced improved sleep and increased daytime energy by simply wearing their comfortable and affordable mouth guards.
Recognizing Signs of Obstructive Sleep Apnea
In many cases, your sleeping partner has most likely already noticed bouts of intense snoring and gasping in the middle of the night. These are the most telltale signs of obstructive sleep apnea. The loud snoring is caused by the soft tissues in the throat vibrating together as air passes through. There is usually a silence, or pause in breathing, followed by a loud gasp for air. Essentially, the body is becoming intermittently deprived of oxygen throughout the night. This leads to other signs of OSA:
- Excessive daytime sleepiness
- Low energy levels
- Irritability
- Poor concentration
- Forgetfulness
- Fatigue
- Reduced libido
- Dry mouth
- Bruxism (teeth grinding)
It is important to consult the dentists at Advanced Dental Care as soon as you or your partner recognize any of these symptoms. We can design custom mouth guards that slightly pull your lower jaw forward, causing the airway to open. Our patients have experienced improved sleep and increased daytime energy by simply wearing their comfortable and affordable mouth guards.
What Causes Obstructive Sleep Apnea?
OSA is caused by the muscles supporting the soft palate, uvula, tonsils, and tongue becoming relaxed and blocking the airway repeatedly throughout the night. The impaired breathing leads to insufficient oxygen intake and increased levels of carbon dioxide in the blood. This signals the brain to wake you just enough to reopen your airway, but not enough to fully awaken. Even though you may not fully wake up, your natural sleep cycle is disturbed each time your airway becomes obstructed, which can happen more than 100 times per night. It is urgent to seek treatment from our dentists as prolonged nights of poor sleep can have negative affects on your overall health.
Who is at Risk?
Individuals of any age, ethnicity, or geographic location can get OSA, however:
- Obesity can significantly increase your risk of getting OSA because excess fat can collect around the airway, causing it to narrow.
- Genetics can cause you to have a narrow airway, a large tongue, uvula, or tonsils, all of which could obstruct your upper airway.
- Smoking has been shown to increase the risk of OSA.
- Men are twice as likely to develop obstructive sleep apnea than women.
Other risk factors include a family history of obstructive sleep apnea, diabetes, and asthma. Research has also shown that, if left untreated, OSA can lead to other serious health conditions such as high blood pressure and cardiovascular problems.
Schedule a Consultation
Achieving restful, deep sleep is essential to achieving your optimal health. Our dentists are experienced in obstructive sleep apnea, and they know exactly how to treat each patient. Patients suffering from sleep apnea deserve a better quality of life, and our professionals can help make that happen. Schedule your appointment today.
