When you have sleep apnea, you may not always snore. But you still experience stress that can harm your immune system and even your heart health. Which is why you need treatment. Our treatments for sleep apnea could range from an oral appliance to surgery. Our oral surgery and dental implant clinics in Berks County, PA talks about how we approach sleep apnea treatment and help you enjoy a better night’s rest.
The Causes and Symptoms of Sleep Apnea
The factors behind sleep apnea vary, but may include a large neck circumference, obesity, sinus and allergy issues, deviated septum, and issues with the growth and development of your jaw and oral structures. When apnea episodes happen, this means that soft tissues in the throat and back of the mouth become too relaxed and collapse, which cuts off airflow. You stop breathing until the brain wakes you to resume, and while you may not recall this happening, it could interrupt your REM sleep multiple times a night.
Symptoms could include snoring, but you may also experience waking in the night choking or gasping for air, headaches, dry mouth, exhaustion, moodiness, and issues with memory and concentration. When one or more of these potential symptoms arise, we hope you will reach out to our team right away!
Oral Appliance Therapy
Instead of the loud and cumbersome CPAP machine, we often offer care with an oral appliance. This is a device that looks similar to a mouthguard and is worn while you sleep. However, this has been custom-fitted for your smile based on detailed images and impressions we have taken, and helps shift your jaw and tongue forward to keep airways open and free of obstruction, so you breathe without complication and enjoy uninterrupted rest. The appliance is easy to use and clean, and can travel with you too!
Surgery
For some, an oral appliance may not be enough to adequately address sleep apnea and help you enjoy uninterrupted rest. With oral surgery, we can adjust the shape and position of certain oral structures to prevent soft tissue collapse and airway blockage. You can then breathe without difficulty and enjoy better sleep. If you struggle with daytime drowsiness and other symptoms, talk to our team about a diagnosis and sleep assessment, so we can see what treatments will best help you rest! For any questions or concerns, feel free to reach out to our team today.
WE PROVIDE BETTER SLEEP FOR PATIENTS IN WYOMISSING, EXETER, HAMBURG, AND EPHRATA!
Don’t risk your poor sleep impacting your overall health, talk to our team about solutions. For more information on how we help you sleep easier, give us a call at Berks Oral Surgery in Berks County, PA at (610) 374-4093 today!