Sleep apnea is a sleep disorder in which a person’s breathing momentarily but repeatedly stops during sleep. The patient often snores, gasps, and wakes up, and therefore gets little rest.
Treatment for sleep apnea can depend on its severity. In mild cases, the patient’s doctor will often recommend lifestyle changes such as changing positions in bed. Since both smoking and obesity can make the condition worse, they may also advise the patient to stop smoking and lose weight.
The doctor may also recommend that the patient use a device called a constant positive air pressure (CPAP) machine to pump air down their airway. A patient using a CPAP machine will wear a mask connected to a hose that is also attached to the machine.
Not all patients like or respond well to CPAP machines, however. Many find the machines bulky, uncomfortable, and hard to get used to. They may also find it hard to sleep while wearing the mask.
How Can a Dentist Help Someone with Sleep Apnea?
Sleep apnea dentistry in Elk Grove Village involves the use of custom-made appliances that look like mouthguards and reposition the patient’s jaw to keep their airway open. The patient will need to obtain a diagnosis of sleep apnea from their primary care physician, and the dentist will then describe the appliances that would be most useful to them.
Not only can the appliance keep the patient’s airway open, but it can also stop the patient from snoring. The appliances are made of plastic and fit snugly over the patient’s teeth. They gently push the lower jaw forward to keep the airway open all night long. Both the patient and their significant other will increase their chances of getting a good night’s sleep.
Contact Brian Homann, DDS, P.C. about sleep apnea dentistry in Elk Grove Village or visit our website at ElkGroveVillageILDentist.com.
