Are You Suffering from Sleep Apnea? 6 Facts Above Getting Better Sleep with Oral Appliance Therapy

Are you waking frequently at night, gasping for breath, snoring loudly, or having daytime sleepiness problems? You could be suffering from obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Many people have this condition without knowing it. Over time, OSA can take a toll on your health by robbing you of quality sleep. Dr. Colby Eckland from Redmond Smiles recommends oral appliance therapy to help manage sleep apnea symptoms. You can learn more about this treatment at our Redmond, Washington dental clinic. 

1.  Help for Sleep Disordered Breathing

OSA is a sleep disorder characterized by disruptive breathing. It occurs when the muscles supporting your tongue and palate relax as you sleep, causing these tissues to block your airways and obstruct your breathing. You may wake up abruptly gasping for breath and then drift back to sleep. These episodes can occur frequently throughout the night without you realizing it. The next day, you feel fatigued as you never went into deep sleep.

Sleep is essential to overall health and well-being. Your mind and body recharge as you sleep, giving you strength and energy for the next day. Over time, lack of quality sleep can lead to chronic fatigue, moodiness, loss of focus and concentration, high blood pressure, and other health issues.

2. Oral Appliance Therapy

Oral appliance therapy entails wearing a custom-fitted oral device over your teeth while you sleep to improve your breathing. This device gently repositions your jaw to keep your tongue and other soft tissues from blocking your airways while you sleep. You’ll breathe freely and easily all night long to get the quality sleep you need. Dr. Eckland can customize this device to fit your comfort and performance. 

Unfortunately, there’s no cure for OSA. However, you can dramatically minimize OSA symptoms with oral appliance therapy to get quality sleep.

The following are some of the benefits of using oral devices for sleep apnea treatment:   

3. Customizable

Sleep apnea appliances can be customized to the contours of your teeth for a comfortable fit. A precise fit will ensure your device works properly to achieve optimal results.

4. Comfort

Wearing a sleep apnea oral appliance is similar to wearing an orthodontic retainer; it is easy to adjust and will soon feel natural.   

5. Peaceful Nights Sleep

You (and your partner) will appreciate the silence and ease of wearing an oral device over the noise of using a CPAP machine for sleep apnea treatment. An oral appliance will even minimize loud snoring to help you sleep peacefully throughout the night.

6. Compact/Easy Care

Unlike bulky CPAP machines, sleep apnea appliances are small, lightweight, and don’t use electricity, making them the perfect choice for people who travel frequently. They’re also easy to clean. A soft bristle toothbrush and mild liquid soap keep your device fresh and clean.

Oral Appliance Therapy Near Me

To learn more about oral appliances for OSA treatment, contact Dr. Colby Eckland from Redmond Smiles in Redmond, WA, at (425) 584-1192.

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