Have you been waking up with headaches or discomfort in your jaw or neck? If you still feel tired, no matter how much sleep you get, it is possible you could be suffering from sleep apnea. Obstructive Sleep Apnea is actually a dangerous condition, one which unfortunately affects millions of American adults. Not only is it often signified by loud snoring, it can cause a host of related medical issues, both due to the lack of quality sleep and the drop in oxygen it creates. Fortunately, there are several ways a dentist might be able to help treat your OSA so that you can sleep better and feel better. So if you have been told you snore loudly, or are simply ready to understand why you don’t feel rested when you wake, it is time to speak with your dentist about whether OSA could be to blame.

Are You Suffering from Sleep Apnea? How Can a Dentist Help You Sleep More Soundly

If you are diagnosed with Obstructive Sleep Apnea, it is important to seek treatment options through a general dentist that can help improve both your sleep, and likely your overall health, as well. In some cases, the dentist may recommend Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) machines. These can effectively supply oxygen throughout one’s sleep. Unfortunately, the machines can be loud and difficult to adjust to, for both the OSA sufferer and loved ones that sleep nearby.

Fortunately, in many cases there is a less invasive alternative that can be equally effective, and that is a sleep appliance, similar to a customized mouthguard. This device works by helping to keep the passageway open and clear of soft tissue as one sleeps.