Sleep Apnea Treatment Aurora
Sleep Apnea Treatment For Better Sleep and Health
Sleep apnea affects millions of Americans, and many people put off being evaluated because they think a CPAP machine (continuous positive airway pressure) is the only treatment option. Thankfully, there’s another sleep apnea treatment in Aurora that’s simple, effective, and much easier to use: custom-made oral appliances. Dr. Mauck and Dr. Ricci know that the consequences of untreated sleep apnea are serious and are thrilled to offer an alternative to a CPAP that improves your sleep quality and overall health. If you’d like to learn more or want to schedule a consultation, contact us today!
What Is Sleep Apnea?
Sleep apnea can be defined as breathing that stops and starts during sleep. These interruptions can last 10 seconds or more and occur up to 30 times an hour. This lowers your oxygen levels, prevents your body from entering the deeper stages of sleep that are crucial for good health, and repeatedly elevates your blood pressure. Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is the most common type and occurs when the airway becomes blocked by your tongue, adenoids, or tonsils while you sleep.
If sleep apnea isn’t treated, it can lead to many serious conditions, including:
- Daytime fatigue and sleepiness
- Weight gain
- Heart disease
- Depression, anxiety, and irritability
- Stroke
- Diabetes
What Are the Symptoms of Sleep Apnea?
Here are some of the most common symptoms of sleep apnea to watch for:
- Feeling tired, even after 8-9 hours of sleep
- Trouble focusing or memory loss
- Regularly waking up with a sore throat or hoarse voice
- Loud snoring
- Gasping for breath while sleeping
- Waking up repeatedly throughout the night
- Mood swings or changes in behavior
Let us know if you notice any of these warning signs. As a dentist in Aurora, we want to make sure we identify and treat the correct condition, so we’ll refer you for a sleep study to provide a diagnosis and rule out other potential problems. Once we determine that you have sleep apnea, we can provide effective treatment.
How Can an Oral Appliance Help?
CPAP machines have been a common sleep apnea treatment for decades, but many people find them so uncomfortable that they quit using them. Others travel a lot and can’t transport their CPAP. For anyone who can’t use a CPAP, oral appliance therapy is a fantastic option.
These custom-made oral appliances are lightweight and portable and work by gently moving the jaw forward and repositioning the tongue. This keeps the airway clear to allow patients to breathe and sleep soundly through the night. In addition to being comfortable, oral appliances are very effective for mild to moderate sleep apnea and can even be used in conjunction with a CPAP machine for more severe cases.
You don’t have to live with the negative consequences of sleep apnea. If you think you could benefit from a better night’s rest, give our team a call today!