What is Sleep Apnea?

Sleep apnea is a serious disorder in which the patient repeatedly and momentarily stops breathing while asleep. In the worst cases, the patient may stop breathing several hundred times. Consequently, the brain and body don’t get enough oxygen. There are two forms of sleep apnea: central sleep apnea and obstructive sleep apnea. Central sleep apnea is caused by the brain not telling the muscles to breathe. Obstructive sleep apnea, which is the more common type, is caused by soft tissue blocking the airway. An Upper Makefield sleep apnea dentist can provide treatment for obstructive sleep apnea in the form of an oral appliance. In many cases, the jaw muscles of a patient with sleep apnea don’t hold the lower jaw in place. It, therefore, falls back, and the patient’s tongue blocks their airway. How do you treat sleep apnea? A sleep apnea dentist in Upper Makefield can provide a non-invasive treatment. It’s an oral appliance that holds the lower jaw in place and thus keeps the tongue from flopping backward over the airway. The patient simply puts it in their mouth before going to bed. The appliance looks a bit like a mouthguard and fits snugly over the patient’s teeth. While it is possible to find inexpensive oral appliances at a pharmacy or through the internet, they don’t work as well as the appliances that we can supply. They don’t fit as well and, therefore, won’t be as effective. By contrast, an oral appliance from a sleep apnea dentist in Upper Makefield will be custom-made to fit the patient’s mouth perfectly. They will take a mold of the patient’s teeth to ensure a perfect and comfortable fit. What are the symptoms of sleep apnea? A person with sleep apnea often snores loudly. They may also suddenly wake up and feel as if they are choking. Their nighttime struggles to breathe often leave them tired during the daytime. Other symptoms of sleep apnea can include the following:

• Headache
• Sore throat or dry mouth upon awakening
• Restlessness during sleep
• Trouble concentrating or remembering
• Depression and/or irritability
• Night sweats

Sleep apnea can also affect children. In addition to the symptoms seen in adults, they may show some of the following:

• Unusual sleeping positions, such as on hands and knees or with a hyperextended neck
• Bedwetting
• Drooling or choking
• Teeth grinding
• Behavior or learning problems
• Ribcage moves inward when exhaling

Looking for a sleep apnea dentist in Upper Makefield? Contact us to learn more or schedule an appointment. https://www.webmd.com/sleep-disorders/sleep-apnea/sleep-apnea https://www.webmd.com/sleep-disorders/guide/understanding-obstructive-sleep-apnea-syndrome https://www.verywellhealth.com/getting-and-using-an-oral-appliance-for-sleep-apnea-3015184