Sleep Apnea Treatment
Snoring affects both males and females of all ages. Loud snoring is a nuisance that disrupts your sleep as well as your partner’s. You may have tried changing your sleeping position or over-the-counter treatments like nasal strips, but still your snoring persists.
Sometimes snoring is more than just an inconvenience; it could indicate that you have a medical condition known as sleep apnea.
It may not have occurred to you to visit the dentist about your snoring, but if you are diagnosed with sleep apnea, an oral appliance might be the solution. Contact Sunshine Smiles of Orange County to find out if you can get some help for your snoring.
Common Causes of Snoring
Snoring occurs when the soft and hard tissue palates of the mouth vibrate and air goes through these passages. Sometimes surgery can correct this problem, but in many cases, it cannot because the snoring could also be caused by tissues in the upper airway.
Allergies, alcohol, and other health problems can make people more prone to snoring. Obesity, hypothyroidism, obstructed nasal passages, smoking, and sleep apnea are others.
What Is Sleep Apnea?
Sleep apnea, often referred to as obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), occurs when the muscles in your mouth and at the back of your throat relax and block normal breathing. Although OSA does affect women, men are at a higher risk. Other situations that make people more susceptible to OSA include:
- Being over the age of 40
- Being overweight
- Having a thick neck
Because OSA disrupts normal sleep and prevents the body from getting the oxygen it needs, it is a serious condition that results in other health problems, including heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure, and diabetes.
Additionally, OSA sufferers often feel drowsy during the day because they did not get a restful sleep the night before. This can cause problems with operating machinery or concentrating on tasks.
Treatment for Sleep Apnea and Snoring
After being diagnosed with sleep apnea, many patients are advised to try CPAP (continuous positive air pressure) therapy. The CPAP machine delivers a steady flow of air via a facemask throughout the night to keep air passages open. Although effective, the CPAP machine is cumbersome, and many patients have trouble adjusting. Often they pull the mask off during their sleep or decide to skip it altogether, meaning they are not getting the treatment they need.
Dr. Arshia Kalantari has received special training for dealing with sleep apnea. He completed a five-month mini-residency in sleep apnea to provide appliances to sleep apnea sufferers who cannot wear a CPAP.
If you are a snorer who has not been diagnosed with OSA, you might want to opt for oral appliance therapy to quiet your snoring.
Make an Appointment to Learn More
If you and your partner are spending sleepless nights because of snoring, call Sunshine Smiles of Orange County for an evaluation. Let us help you get a good night’s sleep!
