Sleep apnea impacts millions of people, and without treatment, can even lead to issues with the immune system and overall heart health! Our team can help, and not only that, we can do so without the need for a loud CPAP machine. Our team of helpful local sleep science professionals in Wheaton, IL, can offer sleep apnea solutions with an oral appliance.
The Warning Signs and Causes of Sleep Apnea
What are the common warning signs that you have sleep apnea? Well, you may suffer from chronic snoring on a nightly basis, and may wake suddenly struggling to breathe or catch your breath. You could feel tired during the day despite assuming you sleep well the night before, and may wake with dry mouth and headaches. During the day, you could feel moody and have issues with concentrating on tasks or with your short-term memory.
The disorder could be caused by a variety of factors, including excessive alcohol consumption, large neck circumference, obesity, sinus and allergy issues, a deviated septum, and more. As you sleep, soft tissues in the back of your mouth and in your throat will collapse and cut off airflow. You stop breathing briefly and the brain registers this, waking you up to resume. This could interrupt your sleep cycle hundreds of times in one night, leaving you exhausted and sleep-deprived.
The Long-Term Impacts
The reason we urge you to seek treatment is that in addition to harming the overall quality of life, this could strain your immune system so you are sick more often. The stress on your cardiovascular system could mean a higher risk of high blood pressure, heart disease, and even stroke or heart attack. Our team can conduct a diagnosis and if we find you need sleep apnea treatment, we can discuss a CPAP alternative.
Treatment with an Oral Appliance
To begin, our team will take detailed digital images of your smile from multiple angles. We then combine these to create an impression that allows us to custom-fit an oral appliance. The appliance will look like a mouthguard and is worn as you rest. Once in place, this moves your jaw and tongue forward to keep airways open and free of obstruction. You breathe without difficulty and feel more relaxed and alert the next day. The device is easy to use, clean, and store, and can travel with you!
If you have any questions about treating sleep apnea, contact our team today.
Let Wheaton Dental Sleep Center Improve Your Rest
Our team wants to offer a comfortable and effective solution to your sleep disorder! To learn more about obtaining a good night’s rest again, then give us a call at Wheaton Dental Sleep Center at (630)665-5555.