If breathing challenges like excessive snoring are waking you up dozens of times each night, you probably feel its effects into the daytime. Maybe you’re foggy-headed even after you drink your morning coffee, or you tend to doze off during important work meetings.
An estimated 22 million suffer from sleep apnea, with roughly 80 percent of cases going undiagnosed, according to the American Sleep Apnea Association. That means many people with this potentially dangerous condition are allowing it to consistently interfere with high-quality sleep.
But it doesn’t have to be that way! Bell Dental Group makes it easy to treat both the symptoms and underlying cause of your obstructive sleep apnea. We’ll form a treatment plan especially for you so you can finally get a better night’s rest.
Read on for more information about obstructive sleep apnea, as well as some of the treatments we can provide. Then, call our Cincinnati, OH office today at 513-802-9440 to schedule an appointment!
What Is Obstructive Sleep Apnea?
Obstructive sleep apnea is a chronic condition marked by the periodic blockage of your airway during sleep. Oftentimes, this happens because your tongue falls back against your soft palate, causing the structures at the back of your throat to collapse and close the airway.
As a result, no air enters your lungs when you go to exhale. This sleep apnea “episode” often ends with the sleeper waking up suddenly, gasping for air. And these episodes can happen dozens of times a night. Obstructive sleep apnea can be exhausting — literally.
Those with obstructive sleep apnea experience a lack of quality sleep throughout the night, and that can severely affect their day-to-day lives.
Some of the symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea include:
- Sore or dry throat
- Excessive snoring
- Lack of energy during the day
- Restless sleep
- Forgetfulness or irritability
- Sleepiness while driving or watching TV
Living with obstructive sleep apnea can also cause a general sense of feeling unwell.
Is Obstructive Sleep Apnea Dangerous?
Obstructive sleep apnea is potentially dangerous. In fact, unmanaged obstructive sleep apnea has been linked to an increased risk of a host of serious health complications. That includes:
- Stroke
- Type 2 diabetes
- Worsening of ADHD symptoms
- High blood pressure
- Heart failure
- Depression
- Headaches
Plus, the lack of quality sleep that obstructive sleep apnea causes is in itself dangerous! Obstructive sleep apnea has been linked to an increased risk of workplace accidents and vehicular collisions.
However, it’s important to note that these increased risks can be mitigated with proper treatment!
How Is Obstructive Sleep Apnea Treated?
Obstructive sleep apnea has traditionally been treated with the use of a CPAP — or continuous positive airway pressure — machine. This device consists of a mask that you wear over your nose or mouth (or both, in some cases). The mask is connected to a machine that delivers air into the nose and/or mouth to keep the airway open.
When used properly, it’s an effective treatment for moderate to severe cases of obstructive sleep apnea. But many people find CPAP machines unwieldy and uncomfortable and don’t regularly use them. And of course, if patients don’t use their CPAP machines, they’re not going to effectively alleviate the symptoms of sleep apnea.
That’s why we’re proud to offer a more comfortable solution: custom oral appliances. These dental devices resemble an athletic mouthguard made especially for your mouth. You’ll insert the oral appliance right before bedtime, and throughout the night, it’ll slightly adjust the position of your jaw to ensure proper breathing.
It’s an effective way to get a better night’s rest, without the awkward tubes and uncomfortable mask.
And at Bell Dental Group, Dr. David Bell has received special training in the use of the Klearway™ device. This oral appliance is made from thermoactive acrylic and is pliable, which ensures that it’ll fit you perfectly every night. It’s proven to be an effective treatment for obstructive sleep apnea and excessive snoring.
Plus, the Klearway oral appliance is convenient. It requires no special cleaners, and it’s compact enough to travel with you wherever you go.
Trust Bell Dental Group For Your Sleep Apnea Solutions
If excessive snoring or obstructive sleep apnea symptoms have been keeping you from high-quality sleep, it might be tempting to turn to sleeping pills or over-the-counter sleep apnea mouthguards.
But the only way to ensure effective treatment of your obstructive sleep apnea symptoms is to have a properly fitting oral appliance. When you trust Bell Dental Group with your high-quality sleep apnea care, you’ll be sleeping soundly in no time!
So, don’t wait! Give us a call today at 513-802-9440 for your free sleep apnea consultation. You can also fill out our convenient online form.