Find out how our dentist in Pueblo, CO, could improve your sleep apnea symptoms.
While poor sleep is truly an epidemic among Americans, there are millions of people out there who are dealing with sleep apnea and don’t even know it. No matter whether you’ve been diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea or you are wondering whether your symptoms could be indicative of this condition, read on to learn more about sleep apnea and how our Pueblo, CO, dentist Dr. Elmer Villalon can help you.
What is obstructive sleep apnea?
This lifelong condition causes the soft tissue in the back of the throat to collapse, which blocks breathing throughout the night. These breathing cessations may last anywhere from a couple seconds to a minute, consequently affecting how much oxygen goes to the brain as well as your overall sleep quality.
What are the symptoms of OSA?
Patients with OSA are often chronic and severe snorers. In fact, many people decide to visit a sleep specialist because a partner complains about the snoring. Along with the snoring, those with OSA also experience,
- Extreme daytime exhaustion and fatigue
- Waking up feeling unrested despite getting enough sleep
- Morning headaches
- Irritability and mood swings
- Difficulty concentrating
If OSA goes untreated, it can lead to more serious health problems such as,
- High blood pressure
- Stroke
- Heart disease
- Type II diabetes
- Congestive heart failure
- Atrial fibrillation
Why should I turn to a dentist for care?
If you’ve been diagnosed with mild or moderate OSA, you may benefit from a simple treatment known as oral appliance therapy. In fact, those dealing with mild OSA may be able to completely manage their symptoms and improve the quality of their sleep with this simple custom-made oral device.
In oral appliance therapy, our dentist will take impressions of your mouth. From there, a device is made to cover the upper and lower teeth while preventing tissue or the tongue from blocking the back of the throat while you sleep. This device is compact, comfortable, easy to wear, and only needs to be worn at night while you are sleeping.
Need treatment? Give us a call!
If you are someone dealing with mild obstructive sleep apnea, it’s time to find out how our Pueblo, CO, dental team can help you get quality sleep quickly. Call us today at (719) 542-7844 to schedule a consultation!