Today we want to talk about your nights. Specifically, we wanted to explore sleep apnea in this post and, more importantly, outline what our Kennewick, WA dental office can do to treat it effectively without involving a CPAP machine. So, keep reading, and then be sure to follow up with our team. You can call us at [phone] to request your consultation appointment at Grandridge Dental.

Sleep Apnea Takes Your Breath Away

Sleep apnea is a scary condition that creates pauses in breathing while a patient is asleep and completely unaware that this is going on (though their body will certainly feel the effects the next day).

There are two basic kinds of sleep apnea: central sleep apnea and obstructive sleep apnea. Obstructive sleep apnea is more common, and as it happens, this is the one type that dentists can treat.

Here’s the problem: obstructive sleep apnea unfolds when the tongue or soft tissue obstructs your airway during your sleep time. Anyone with severe enough sleep apnea can have up to 50 pauses in breathing one hour along with a whole lot of snoring.

Sleep Apnea Can Kill You

Let’s be clear: YOU REALLY CAN DIE die from sleep apnea. And if it doesn’t kill you, sleep apnea still elevates your blood pressure, increasing your risk for larger-scale health problems like heart disease, diabetes, and stroke. One way or another, your health will suffer along with your sleep partner (who has to endure all your snoring)!

Many patients who have been diagnosed with sleep apnea report waking up feeling exhausted all the time. This can lead to mood swings, and create problems with concentration at work and behind the wheel.

Sleep Apnea Can Be Treated

There are some realistic treatment options out there. CPAP has been primary treatment for sleep apnea for a while now. It’s essentially a breathing machine that forces air into the lungs while you are resting.

The CPAP is hard to handle because it comes with a mask and a hose and it is a loud  machine. It can keep you and your loved ones awake unintentionally. However, as an alternative to CPAP, we are now offering an oral appliance designed to treat obstructive sleep apnea. It is a comfortable, custom-designed piece that will fit your unique mouth, unlike the one-size-fits-all mouthguards you can buy at the store.

Here’s the deal: our oral appliance pushes the lower jaw forward during sleep so your airway remains open for business. The oral appliance does not disturb anyone who is sleeping, and you can take it with you anywhere you go, so it’s great for at home and also for when you are travelling.

Call Today To Take Back Your Nights

If a loved one has mentioned your snoring, ask our dental team about it right away. They’ll be able to recommend treatment that will help! To schedule a sleep apnea consultation appointment at Grandridge Dental, call our Kennewick, WA office today at 509-380-9046 or fill out our convenient online form. You’ll be so glad you did, and so will the rest of your household!