Sleep Apnea Treatment in Lexington, MA
Sleep apnea occurs when an individual’s breathing is interfered with during sleep. When you have untreated sleep apnea, you frequently stop breathing during sleep, sometimes even hundreds of times in one night. Our Dentist in Lexington, MA, can help with obstructive sleep apnea, a common disorder.
In obstructive sleep apnea, a patient has the upper airway blocked partially or wholly during sleep. Breathing stops and resumes with a body jerk or loud gasp. If you have the disorder, it reduces oxygen flow to crucial organs and interferes with sleep. It also contributes to heart rhythm problems. Receiving sleep apnea treatment in Lexington, MA, can help prevent the consequences associated with the disorder. At Lexington Dental Group, our sleep apnea dentist will provide solutions to your apnea problem.
Causes & Symptoms of Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA)
A patient is said to have OSA if the airway is blocked. This happens when the soft tissue within the rear of the throat falls backward during sleep and obstructs the airway. A patient may not be able to recognize the first signs of OSA. However, a bed partner may be the first one to notice. Most people with OSA don’t have sleep complaints. Among the symptoms experienced include:
- Daytime fatigue or sleepiness due to disturbances in sleep
- Snoring due to the blockage
- Restlessness during sleep
- Dry mouth
- Sudden awakenings accompanied by a gasping or choking sensation
- Trouble concentrating, irritability, and forgetfulness
- Headaches
- Night sweats
- A sleep apnea dentist near you will look or ask for these symptoms when diagnosing you for the disorder.
The Dangers of Obstructive Sleep Apnea
When left untreated, OSA can contribute to various health problems, including stroke, hypertension, congestive heart failure, heart attacks, diabetes, and cardiomyopathy or enlargement of the heart muscles.
Sleep apnea may contribute to job impairment, motor vehicle accidents, poor academic performance in kids and adolescents, and work-related accidents. As such, you must seek sleep apnea treatment in Lexington, MA, to manage and treat the disorder.
How Can a Dentist Help You with Sleep apnea?
Many patients having obstructive sleep apnea can get relief from using a CPAP machine. However, for some patients, the continuous positive airway pressure appliance may not work for them. A dentist may prescribe another option known as oral appliance therapy. The dentist fabricates a customized oral appliance like athlete mouthguards.
How Does the Oral Appliance Work?
Patients who have mild to moderate OSA can use oral mandibular advancement devices. Appliance therapy and oral devices help prevent the tongue from obstructing the throat. They can also help advance the lower jaw so it moves forward. Wearing the devices helps ensure the airway remains open while sleeping. A dentist works with a sleep specialist to determine what works best for a patient.
Fabricating the Oral Appliance for Sleep Apnea
A dentist records impressions or mold of the teeth. Using the mold, the dentist makes the device. You are then called back to get it fitted in the mouth. Once fitted, you are provided a morning repositioner that helps realign your bite following the removal of the appliance in the morning.
Our dentist near you provides a guide on keeping the appliance clean and how best to use it. You may need some custom adjustments done afterward to help optimize its effects in preventing sleep apnea.
If you or another family member struggles with OSA, you should consider seeing a dentist for sleep apnea treatment at Lexington Dental Group. After diagnosis, we determine how best we can help you relieve the side effects of the condition.