How Can a Cedar Park Dentist Help if You Suffer from Sleep Apnea?

Millions of American adults currently suffer from a condition known as Obstructive Sleep Apnea, or OSA. While almost never fatal, it can cause severe disruption of sleep night after night, resulting in insomnia-like symptoms as well as headaches, high blood pressure, and potentially even memory problems.

The good news for OSA sufferers in Texas is that there are several methods available for treating it, including simple oral appliances which are available from Reveal Dental, a highly-qualified Cedar Park dentist.

What Causes Sleep Apnea?

Obstructive Sleep Apnea occurs when the soft tissue in the back of the mouth and throat become too relaxed, causing the throat to close. This blocks the flow of air, causing momentary suffocation. In turn, this causes a gasping reflex, opening up the throat and allowing air back in.

This happens repeatedly during the night, often hundreds of times. In the most severe cases, the patient is unable to sleep consistently and is awakened, gasping, whenever their throat closes. In other cases, the patient sleeps through this, but their sleep is light and rarely achieves the deep “REM” sleep necessary for a truly restful night.

In the meantime, those sleeping alongside an OSA sufferer may have a hard time sleeping as well. Those with OSA generally snore loudly, and often make very audible gasping sounds that keep their partners awake.

How Can a Cedar Park Dentist Help with OSA?

Depending on the severity of the condition, there are several remedies for Obstructive Sleep Apnea, including surgery. However, for most mild-to-moderate cases, all that is needed is a simple dental appliance.

The appliance is custom-fit, and worn much like a football mouth-guard or orthodontic retainer. When it’s properly fit, the apnea appliance keeps the jaw thrust forward, preventing it from slipping back and encouraging the throat to close.

The wearer enjoys a good night’s sleep, night after night.

These appliances are long-lasting, easy-to-clean, and small enough to easily travel anywhere. It is by far the simplest solution to OSA, and the preferred method whenever possible.

Reveal Dentistry in Cedar Park is Here to Help

If you or someone you love suffers from Obstructive Sleep Apnea, the first step to solving it is to make an appointment. Our highly-qualified staff will evaluate your condition, and discover whether oral appliances are right for you.