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SpanishWhat Is a Dental Sleep Appliance and How Does It Work?
A dental sleep appliance is usually customized for your requirement to treat snoring and can be used for mild to moderate sleep apnea. It is used when you are asleep, as the oral device repositions the tongue and jaw to ensure that the airway is open for better breathing. It helps you stop snoring by preventing airway blockage and reduces tissue vibrations. Most of these devices are non-invasive, portable with ease of use. Thus, they are popular with people that snore. The dental sleep appliances help you have restful sleep, improving the quality of life.
Types of Oral Devices Dentists Use to Treat Snoring
Most dentists advise on using oral devices to help treat snoring by enhancing airflow and limiting partial obstructions in the airways. There are two types of oral devices used by dentists are Mandibular advancement devices (MADs) and Tongue retaining device (TRD). The MADs reposition the lower jaw by positioning it forward, thereby keeping the airways open. While the TRD ensures that the tongue is held in place and does not fall into the throat to cause a partial blockage. These are custom-fitted dental appliances that are non-invasive and help you reduce or stop snoring.
Benefits of Visiting a Dentist for Snoring Treatment
When you consult with a dentist for snoring treatment, there are multiple benefits. The dentists are experts to identify structural problems in the jaw or mouth that might be contributing to snoring. They can custom make oral appliances to ensure that the airways are open and there are no obstructions, that can lead to snoring. Regular visits to the dentist can ensure that any adjustment that is needed is made to bring relief. Reducing snoring early can minimize risk of developing sleep apnea, improve sleep quality, and enhance health.
If you feel you might be having a snoring problem, you should visit your dentist for a consultation. The doctor will review your signs and symptoms, and your medical history to suggest you the right anti snore remedies.
Snoring does not just interrupt your partner’s sleep, but may also severely impact your quality of life. You will wake up feeling tired or restless in the morning. You may get angry often and feel frustrated over little things. Feeling constantly tired or sleepy during the day can lead to loss of concentration and is a prime cause of car accidents.
You may be grinding your teeth in your sleep or may end up waking up with a dry throat. Your jaw may be constantly hurting in the morning and in such a case the best thing to do is schedule an appointment with your dentist right away. While you may not take these snoring signals seriously and may choose to ignore them as normal, the truth of the matter is that snoring can be life-threatening.
What causes snoring?
When tissue in the upper airway vibrates, it leads to noisy breathing during sleep, known commonly as snoring. It is caused due to the clogging of the nasal airways.
Various factors such as an allergy or sinus infection could be the source of your snoring problem. Obesity, smoking, drinking excessive alcohol, and use of sleeping pills are also known to cause snoring.
ENT conditions such as poor muscle tone of the nose or throat or bulky throat tissue are some other factors causing snoring. Sleep apnea is a dangerous sleep disorder very commonly associated with snoring.
What is sleep apnea and why is it dangerous?
Sleep apnea is a sleep disorder where a person stops breathing periodically during sleep. People suffering from sleep apnea often awaken frequently gasping for breath.
If not treated on time, sleep apnea can cause diabetes, high blood pressure, heart diseases or stroke.
How will the doctor diagnose a snoring problem or sleep apnea?
If you feel you might be having a snoring problem or sleep apnea, you should visit your dentist for a consultation. The doctor will review your signs and symptoms, and your medical history to suggest you the right anti snore remedies.
He will examine your dental, jaw, mouth and throat and nasal passages for any signs deformities. He will have detailed discussions with you and your partner regarding your eating patterns, alcohol drinking, smoking, sleeping patterns, etc to find out the underlying cause of your problem. He may also undertake a sleep test to gather more information on your problem.
If the dentist feels that you might be suffering from apnea, he may ask your partner to keep a diary noting your sleeping and snoring patterns.
How to Choose the Right Dentist for Snoring Treatment
It is imperative to seek the services of an experienced dentist for snoring treatment. Look for an expert that specializes in sleep dentistry or has ample experience in anti-snoring oral devices. Check their certifications, years of experience and reviews from past patients to make sure you are in reliable hands. The right dentist will consider your current health, diagnose your condition properly and offer the available treatments. They will then customize the mandibular advancement devices accordingly.
Conclusion
In conclusion, it can be said that dentists play an important role in treatment of snoring. They customize oral devices to suit your mouth which ensure that the jaw and tongue are positioned such that there are no obstructions when lying down. Non-invasive, portable and easy to use anti-snoring oral devices are an alternative to surgery and other methods. Additionally, dentists can identify the health issues that are leading you to snore and recommend the care and cure to stop snoring. You can experience improved sleep and long-term relief with proper adjustments and monitoring.
