Using Oral Appliance Therapy to Treat Sleep Apnea in Bryn Mawr

Also, the AMA says that 80% of people who have this disorder haven't even been diagnosed. Thus, it's a common problem that many people might not be aware that they have.

The main concern is that this sleeping disorder can be dangerous. It causes poor sleep, and if left untreated, it can lead to a higher risk of heart attack, stroke and coronary artery disease. Let's talk more about this disorder and how dentistry could help treat it.

What Is Sleep Apnea? 

Before getting into the treatments for sleep apnea, let's learn about this sleeping disorder. Basically, it's a disorder in which your breathing becomes interrupted while you sleep. In some cases, it causes restless sleep and loud snoring. In other cases, it can lead to more serious conditions that can be life-threatening.

Sometimes, sleep apnea symptoms are hard to notice for individuals who suffer from this disorder. The reason is that all of the symptoms occur at night while they are sleeping. These symptoms include loud snoring, suddenly paused breathing and gasping for air.

That said, you might notice some symptoms in the morning, such as still being tired after sleeping, morning headaches, and having a dry mouth when you wake up.

What Are Some Sleep Apnea Causes? 

A number of problems can lead to the development of sleep apnea. For example, being overweight puts you at a greater risk of developing this disorder. That said, you have no control over some factors that put you at greater risk. For instance, males have a greater risk of developing this sleeping disorder than women do.

Additionally, it is worth pointing out that this disorder becomes more common as people get older. Individuals who smoke are three times more likely to develop this disorder as well. Studies show a link between certain medical conditions and an increased risk of this disorder too. These medical conditions include Type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, and asthma.

Sleep Apnea Treatment

For most mild cases of sleep apnea, making small lifestyle changes may be enough. For example, sleeping on your side or losing weight can eliminate mild cases of this sleeping disorder. For more advanced cases, surgery may be necessary.

That said, one of the best ways to treat mild to moderate cases is via an oral appliance for sleep apnea. Sleeping with such a mouthpiece could eliminate the need for an invasive solution.

A sleep apnea mouthpiece looks similar to a mouth guard that someone would wear when playing sports. Instead of wearing it while playing sports, though, you wear it while you are sleeping. The goal of the mouthpiece is to keep your jaw in a forward position to prevent it from falling backward during sleep. It keeps your airways open, effectively eliminating many of the symptoms, including snoring.

How Much Does a Sleep Apnea Mouth Guard Cost?

The good news is that custom mouth guards aren't overly expensive. Also, they are typically a lot cheaper than the cost of having surgery to fix the cause of the disorder. If you have medical insurance, you may be able to get your mouthpiece at a discounted price. Contact our office in Bryn Mawr if you want to learn more.

What Are the Benefits of Choosing a Mouthpiece?

There are a number of benefits of choosing an oral appliance for sleep apnea in Bryn Mawr. Firstly, getting a mouthpiece is not invasive, so there is no healing required. Plus, you can get relief from your disorder right away.

On top of that, you can take your mouthpiece with you anywhere. This makes it the perfect solution if you like to travel or find yourself sleeping in different places often. Best of all, it's affordable, so it is the ideal solution for anyone in your family who suffers from this sleeping disorder.

Let Us Provide You With Treatment

Do you suffer from sleep apnea in Bryn Mawr? If so, you don't have to live with it forever. At Bryn Mawr Dental Associates, we can provide an oral appliance that can help reduce or eliminate your symptoms. We work closely with dental insurance providers, which means that there is a good chance that we work with your dental insurer. 

Don't live with your sleeping disorder any longer. Take the first step in reclaiming a good night's sleep. Reach out to our friendly staff members right away so that they can set up an appointment for you.