SLEEP APNEA

Sleep apnea is a life-threatening sleep disorder characterised by difficulties in breathing. One may experience shallow breaths or occasional pauses in breathing. This disorder involves the airway passage getting blocked and causing the person to have a disturbed sleep. A temporary cessation of breathing (apnea) causes the brain to wake the patient but resumes sleep after a few seconds.

Common Symptoms:

Some of the most common signs of sleep apnea are:

• Occasional breathing cessation during sleeping (up to 40 seconds long)
• Unusually loud snoring
• Excessive daytime sleepiness
• Irritability
• Insomnia
• Morning headaches
• Dry mouth and sore throat when one wakes up
• Night sweats
• Depression
• Abrupt awakening and shortness of breath while sleeping accompanied by a feeling of choking

Types of Sleep Apnea

There are 3 main types of sleep apnea:

Obstructive sleep apnea:
This type of condition occurs when throat muscles relax as a result of excessive fat accumulation around the neck. Considered the most common type of sleep apnea, it accounts for over 80 percent of all the cases.

Complex sleep apnea syndrome:
It is a combination of both the central and obstructive sleep apnea. It normally occurs when an individual with a history of obstructive sleep apnea suddenly develops the central sleep apnea type as well. This condition accounts for 15 percent of all the cases.

Central sleep apnea:
This is the rarest condition with less than 5 percent of the cases being diagnosed. Unlike the other conditions, this got nothing to do with blocked airway passages. Typically, it results from a malfunctioned brain stem, which is a part of the brain that controls breathing.

Treatment Options

The key to treating any of these types of apnea sleep disorders is to first determine which of the types of sleep apnea you suffer from. Once it's diagnosed properly, there are various treatment options in place for that particular type of condition. However, for moderate to severe cases of sleep apnea, the following treatment options exist:

Oral Appliances/Mouth Guards
Oral therapy mouth guards look like sports mouth guards, but they work differently. They are effective treatment options for people with mild to moderate obstructive sleep apnea. Mouth guards are fitted by a dentist or orthodontist and should be worn in the mouth while sleeping. A sleep dentist will arrange for a mouth impression and create a mouth guard that specifically fits you.

How it works:

Mouth guards for sleep apnea work by moving the lower jaw forward relative to the upper jaw. They also increase the muscle tone of the tongue. As a result, this increases the air passageway and reduces sleep apnea or snoring. Mouth guards are adjustable enough to increase airway while at the same time ensuring patient's comfort. This is enhanced by:

• A telescopic hinge or side straps for adjustment
• Full range talking and drinking motions

However, mouth guard therapy should only be administered to patients with known complications such as periodontal diseases or broken restorations. They are also intended for individuals aged 18 and above.

Home Remedies
Incorporated with a mouth guard, self-care may also be an alternative way to deal with obstructive sleep apnea and possibly central sleep apnea. These home remedies include regular exercises, weight loss programs, avoiding alcohol, smoking, and tranquillizers, keeping nasal passages open at night and sleeping on your side or abdomen instead of the back.

Bottom Line

At Trilliant Dentistry, we offer highly successful sleep apnea treatment to all patients in Milton, ON. Using advanced appliances and oral therapy, our dental professionals ensure relief from sleep apnea and snoring.

So take advantage of our specialized services today! For any questions, complications, and comments regarding other dentistry procedures and mouth guards in Milton, do not hesitate to contact us.