When it’s time to lay down for the night, do you roll over on your phone and watch funny videos until your eyes just can’t stay open anymore? Some people prefer to turn on Netflix until their body finally dozes off. The next day, you have to pay for it because you can hardly function from the sleep deprivation.
Although these scenarios are relatable to most people nowadays, there are some that do everything in their power to get a “full night’s rest,” but still feel fatigued in the morning. Why? Many adults have a sleeping disorder known as obstructive sleep apnea. Thankfully, your local dentist in Virginia Beach offers treatment for the disorder as well as this bit of helpful advice for better sleep: turn off your phone and the TV!
What is Obstructive Sleep Apnea?
If you haven’t heard of this sleeping disorder, you might not understand how much of a threat it is to your overall health. Obstructive sleep apnea is a common sleeping disorder that causes constant pauses in breathing while a patient is asleep. These pauses in breathing sound like snoring or loud choking during sleep from the body jolting awake just enough to allow oxygen to pass through the airway.
Just about anyone can develop sleep apnea, so it’ important to know and pay attention to the symptoms of the disorder. Spotting the signs could save you from the deadly consequences that follow sleep apnea.
What Are the Symptoms of Sleep Apnea?
It may be difficult to notice the symptoms of sleep apnea if you sleep alone, but feeling tired after you just slept is a telltale symptom of the disorder. These are the other symptoms to look out for:
- Exhaustion no matter how long you slept the night before.
- A sore throat every morning.
- Pounding headaches in the morning.
- Problems concentrating throughout the day.
- Dry mouth in the morning.
- Gasping, snorting, or choking while sleeping.
- Snoring throughout the night.
What Does Sleep Apnea Treatment Consist of?
One of the best things that you can do for your well-being is to seek the appropriate assistance from your dentist. Dentists have been highly trained to understand the inner and outer workings of your mouth, so they are one of the best resources to rely on for sleep apnea treatment in Virginia Beach.
One of the most successful forms of treatment is oral appliances. The variety of oral appliances offered by your local dentist vary for your specific case of sleep apnea. Here are some of the oral appliances that are offered:
- TAP, or the Thornton Adjustable Positioner
- TAP 3 TL
- Silent Nite sl
- EMA, Elastic Mandibular Advancement
Each of these oral appliances is non-invasive, customized to your bite, and allow vital oxygen flow to continue without the gasping, choking, or snorting that typically occurs with sleep apnea disorder. Learn more about how your dentist can help you by giving them a quick call.
About Our Office
Here at Smile by Design, we know that every patient’s mouth is different. Even when patients are dealing with the same disorder, there’s no general way to effectively treat everyone. That’s why we offer personalized care that caters to your specific needs. Call us today to see how we can help you!