If you snore loudly and often, you likely don’t get a very restful sleep, and you are probably taking away from your partner’s good night’s rest as well. Not only can snoring be a serious bother to those around you, but it can also indicate a more serious issue known as sleep apnea. Luckily, our team at Sidney Harbour Dental offers options for dental guards and appliances near you to help with this condition.
What is Sleep Apnea?
Sometimes, people ask our dentist in Sidney for dental appliances near you without an official diagnosis of sleep apnea. However, it is important to know if you have sleep apnea and how serious it is so we can provide the best dental device for you. With a screening test, we can help you narrow down the cause of your snoring and may recommend an overnight sleep study, so we find the exact issue.
Most people with this issue have obstructive sleep apnea caused by airway obstruction. This happens when the muscles at the back of the throat overrelax and block the airway. In an attempt to resume proper breathing, your brain tells your body to wake up. This can happen multiple times throughout the night, leaving sufferers severely sleep-deprived.
The effects of sleep apnea on the body can be quite severe, including excessive daytime sleepiness, impaired cognitive function, morning headaches, high blood pressure, and even brain damage. Those with sleep apnea have an increased risk of stroke, heart attack, and diabetes. That is why you should look for dental guards in Sydney if you have sleep apnea.
Dental Guards and Appliances for Sleep Apnea
There are many choices for dental guards and appliances in Sidney, some of which include:
#1 Continuous Positive Airway Pressure Devices (CPAPs)
These are used with the help of a sleep specialist and dentist near you to treat very severe cases of sleep apnea. With this device, the patient must wear a mouth and nose mask when they sleep, which is connected to a machine that provides a steady flow of air, keeping the airway open at all times. The benefit of this device is that it is considered the gold standard treatment, but it is also loud, difficult to travel with, and has been known to cause a dry, itchy nose.
#2 Mandibular Advancement Devices
These dental appliances in Sidney are worn over your teeth, similar to a retainer or mouthguard. They keep the jaw and tongue forward to prevent the soft tissue in the mouth from relaxing. They are more comfortable than CPAP machines but can lead to some jaw stiffness and irritation.
#3 Tongue Retaining Mouthpieces
These dental guards near you fit over your teeth similar to mandibular advancement devices, but they use suction to hold the tongue forward and prevent it from relaxing too far back in the throat. This is a good option for those who notice jaw pain or tension with a mandibular advancement device.
Contact Sidney Harbour Dental
If you are interested in learning more about dental guards and appliances for sleep apnea, please do not hesitate to contact our dedicated team of dental professionals at Sidney Harbour Dental. We are happy to provide you with a comprehensive exam to find the best appliance to manage your condition.
