About 25% of men and over 10% of women have obstructive sleep apnea. Babies and children are not exempt from the effects of obstructive sleep apnea, which is more common in older adults and obese people. Patients with obstructive sleep apnea frequently share particular physical characteristics and clinical characteristics. A nasal blockage, a low-hanging soft palate, swollen tonsils, or a tiny jaw with an overbite are examples of structural abnormalities that reduce the diameter of the upper airway. Other factors include excessive weight, a large neck, and abnormalities of the jaw.

Why does obstructive sleep apnea occur?

The soft tissue in the back of the throat typically collapses during sleep, which results in obstructed airflow and obstructive sleep apnea. Patients with disorders of the central nervous system, such as stroke victims or people with neuromuscular diseases, are more likely to experience central sleep apnea. Patients with heart failure and other types of cardiac and pulmonary disorders are also susceptible to it frequently.

What obstructive sleep apnea signs and symptoms are there?

What are the effects of OSA (obstructive sleep apnea)?

Obstructive sleep apnea is a condition that, if ignored, can lead to a number of health issues, such as hypertension, stroke, arrhythmias, cardiomyopathy (enlargement of the heart's muscular tissue), congestive heart failure, diabetes, and heart attacks. In addition, untreated sleep apnea may contribute to work-related impairment, accidents at work, car accidents, and academic underachievement in kids and teens, and work-related accidents.

What happens if I have been diagnosed with OSA?

Options for treatment will be presented to you if your doctor determines that you have OSA. A continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine is typically the gold standard for treating OSA. CPAP could not be effective for you for a variety of reasons. Oral appliance therapy, which resembles the mouth guards worn by athletes, is an additional choice.

Dental appliance therapy

Only dentists with training in dental sleep medicine can administer oral appliance therapy and recommend the oral device for sleep apnea.

Finding the best anti-snoring gadget for your needs might be a difficult endeavor because there are so many of them on the market nowadays. Meanwhile, most of these peculiar gadgets have either not been demonstrated to operate or merely serve to keep you up all night. The good news is that there are many tried-and-true methods that can help you reduce and even get rid of snoring. It takes time, lifestyle adjustments, and the desire to try out various remedies because not every therapy will be effective for everyone.

How are snoring and sleep apnea treated with an oral sleep appliance?

Oral-appliance-for-treating-OSA

Sleep apnea mouth guards primarily function by keeping the tissues at the base of the tongue and the back of the neck from collapsing into the airflow path. These devices open up the rear of the throat's airway by bringing the lower jaw and tongue forward together.

What advantages does oral appliance therapy for sleep apnea provide for treating obstructive sleep apnea (OSA)?

Treatment using oral appliances

• Can alleviate OSA symptoms such as snoring, daytime tiredness, moodiness, and attention problems.
• Gives those who cannot tolerate CPAP an alternative.
• Is simpler to transport when traveling
• Without requiring electricity
• Is quiet

You can book a consultation to speak with our doctor at Valley Sleep and TMJ in Oakdale, CA, if it is concluded that using an oral appliance for sleep apnea good option, you'll need a recommendation from the right dentist so they can perform an evaluation. Your dental impression will be taken, and our dentist will determine if you are a candidate for this procedure. Once the device is created, they will contact you to schedule a fitting. In order to realign your bite when the appliance is taken out, you will also be given a morning repositioner. Additionally, they will train you on how to operate and maintain the device. In order to receive the best possible care, you might also need to visit the dentist again.