The Role of Oral Appliances and a Sleep Apnea Dentist in Managing Sleep Apnea

Millions of people live with sleep apnea, and many of these people have not been diagnosed. In many cases, people who know they have sleep apnea turn to solutions such as CPAP machines. However, continuous advancements in sleep technology have created more options for people living with this debilitating condition. Let’s learn a few key things about sleep apnea and how you can find help if you’re living with it. 

1. Understanding Sleep Apnea

People who live with sleep apnea stop breathing while they’re sleeping. While some individuals stop breathing a few times a night, this may occur for many people between 100 to 300 times every night. Sleep apnea can be dangerous if left untreated. 

2. Three Types of Sleep Apnea

Obstructive sleep apnea is the most common type, but there are actually two additional forms of sleep apnea. 

• Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA): Happens when a person’s throat muscles relax, blocking the airflow into the lungs
• Central sleep apnea (CSA): Occurs when an individual’s brain fails to send the correct signals to the muscles controlling breathing
• Treatment-emergent central sleep apnea: A complex form of sleep apnea that occurs when a person with OSA begins to experience CSA when they’re receiving therapy for OSA

For many patients, obstructive sleep apnea can be treated with a simple oral appliance provided by your dentist. 

3. Sleep Apnea Symptoms

If you have any of these symptoms, you may be experiencing sleep apnea:

• Breathing stops while sleeping
• Loud snoring
• Waking up with a dry mouth
• Gasping for air while sleeping
• Difficulty staying asleep
• Headache in the morning
• Excessively sleepy during the daytime
• Irritability
• Trouble paying attention when awake

4. Daytime Fatigue

Sleep apnea doesn’t just affect a person’s sleep. A lack of quality sleep has a significant impact on many areas of a person’s life and health. Perhaps the most troublesome problem is daytime fatigue. If you’re overly sleepy during the daytime, you may find it difficult to concentrate or stay alert behind the wheel of a vehicle. Also, daytime fatigue is linked to moodiness, anxiety, and depression. 

5. Cardiovascular Problems

Sleep apnea complications can greatly impact physical health. Sudden blood oxygen drops during obstructive sleep apnea strain the cardiovascular system, leading to heart problems and high blood pressure. Obstructive sleep apnea also increases the risk of many heart-related conditions, including stroke, heart attack, atrial fibrillation, and irregular heartbeats. 

6. Oral Appliance for Sleep Apnea

While the CPAP machine is the solution most commonly considered, many patients find it difficult to sleep comfortably with this machine. A more comfortable alternative is an oral appliance that can be provided by Dr. Ramin Mirmooji at Msmiline Cosmetic Dentistry. Sometimes called a snore guard, this appliance positions your jaw so that your airway remains open while you sleep. Oral appliances are an excellent solution for patients who are looking for something less invasive. 

7. Your Sleep Apnea Dentist In Pierrefonds QC

If you struggle with obstructive sleep apnea, Dr. Ramin Mirmooji and the staff at Msmiline Cosmetic Dentistry in Pierrefonds, QC, can help. Call us today at (514) 613-1888 to get started on your journey to healthier sleep.

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