When you have trouble sleeping, waking up in the night or feeling exhausted during the day, you could be suffering from obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), a common disorder that impacts millions. To bring relief and help you avoid major complications, then your Astoria, NY, dentist could offer sleep apnea treatment.
The Facts About Sleep Apnea
Sleep apnea means that as you sleep, the soft tissues in the back of the mouth and in the throat become too relaxed and collapse. This then cuts off airflow and causes you to stop breathing for brief seconds until the brain wakes you up. Even if you don’t recall waking up, this could happen hundreds of times and interrupts your sleep cycle, so you feel more exhausted during the day. Without treatment, this could eventually weaken the immune system and strain your cardiovascular system, leading to major health problems. Warning signs could include chronic snoring, headaches, dry mouth, daytime tiredness, irritability, and difficulty concentrating on tasks at work or school Waking up in the night choking or gasping for breath are common signs too.
Treatment with an Oral Appliances
To begin, we will thoroughly examine your mouth and oral structures, and then gather detailed digital images, which we use to make an impression. This is then used in a dental lab setting to design and craft an oral appliance. The finished product will look and fit like a simple mouthguard. The device actually moves the jaw forward to prevent the collapse of soft tissues, so you breath without interruption and enjoy a better night’s rest. This helps you feel more alert and rested, and about a weakened immune system or an increased risk of heart disease and high blood pressure.
Lifestyle Changes
You can also help with a few changes to your daily routine. First, in the two hours before bed try to avoid large meals, excessive alcohol, or vigorous exercise. Maintain a regular sleep schedule by going to bed and waking up at the same times each day. Avoid caffeinated products before bed too, and rest on your side instead of the back. Keep your bedroom dark and cool, and try to keep it screen-free if possible.
These simple actions can help you rest easy, and our oral appliances can offer relief from OSA symptoms. If you have any questions about how we diagnose and treat a disorder like OSA, or if you would simply like to schedule your next checkup and cleaning, then contact our team today.
Your Astoria, NY, Dentist Can Help You Rest With Ease
We would like to help you feel more rested and alert! To learn more about how we help people rest easier again, then schedule a consultation by calling Jeffrey Leibowitz, DDS, in Astoria, NY, today at 718-728-8320.
