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Sleep Apnea Mouthpieces VS. CPAP Machines: How to Choose

This entry was posted in Blog on August 8, 2016 by lou.

Sleep apnea is a chronic condition that impacts more than 18 million Americans nationwide. It happens when a person stops breathing in the middle of sleeping, and over time it can lead to heart attacks, stroke, and high blood pressure. But while you’re waiting for your heart to stop, you’ll feel sluggish and tired day in, day out. There are many sleep apnea causes, from having a large neck circumference, being overweight, or having a family history of the disorder, yet the recommended treatment is often the same.

That’s because the devices used to treat sleep apnea really work. There are a few medical devices used to treat this disorder, but today we’re going to focus on two popular choices: CPAP machines and mouthpieces for sleep apnea. Here is everything you need to know about both.

CPAP Machines
CPAP stands for continuous positive airway pressure and is a treatment that uses mild airway pressure to keep the airways open. When a sleep apnea incident occurs, the soft tissue in the palate collapses, leading to snoring and a cut off oxygen supply. Using the CPAP machine helps to gently keep airways open for the entire night’s sleep.

Some Pros to this treatment:

Noninvasive
Can be bought/reimbursed through insurance as it is a prescription treatment.
Helps to normalize breathing so it is not a struggle during the night.
Adds humidity to the air so those who suffer from allergies will not feel dry and irritated.
Different mask options gives patients more flexibility.

The disadvantages of CPAP:

Requires electricity.
May be hard for some to get adjusted to wearing a mask while they sleep.
Can’t talk or eat while wearing.
Because some patients cannot tolerate this form of therapy, they are less likely to stick with it in the long term.

Mouthpieces for Sleep Apnea
These are used as a substitute for those who opt out of CPAP therapy. In addition to stopping sleep apnea, they double as anti-snoring devices. Mouthpieces reduce airway turbulence to stop snoring, which has helped countless SOS sufferers (spouses of snorers) sleep better, too. For individuals that are overweight, they can be used as a weight loss treatment as well.

Why patients choose to go this route:

Noninvasive.
Not as much of a hassle as the larger and bulkier CPAP machines.
Noiseless.
Easy to maintain and clean.
Can talk and chew while wearing appliance.
They are reimbursable through insurance. Considering that the average cost is around $2,000, this can be a great financial help.
Versatile. More than 100 different mouthpieces for sleep apnea are approved by the FDA.

For many, the only disadvantage of sleep apnea mouthpieces is that they are generally only recommended for mild cases of the sleep disorder.

Depending on your needs, it is important to talk to your doctor about what method of sleep apnea treatment is right for your specific diagnosis.

Study Shows Surprising Reason Why Sleep Apnea Causes Increased Risk of Glaucoma

This entry was posted in Blog on July 11, 2016 by lou.

Sleep apnea causes a number of additional known potential health risks, such as sleeplessness and an inability to concentrate, which can result in a sixfold increase in the risk of car accidents. Additionally, about 50% of sleep apnea patients will also suffer from hypertension. But a new study from Hokkaido University in Japan adds one more health concern for the 18 million Americans with sleep apnea to worry about: Glaucoma.

Glaucoma is a progressive disease of the optic nerves which can result in vision loss and eventual blindness. People with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome are said to be 10 times more susceptible to glaucoma than people without it. When OSAS patients stop breathing in the night, their sleep apnea causes increased pressure behind the eyes and eventual nerve damage — or so we thought.

This new study from Japan suggests that eye pressure actually decreases when people with sleep apnea disorders stop breathing in the middle of the night. The findings were unexpected, but they may have significant implications for further research in both glaucoma research and sleep apnea treatments.

By using a special eye pressure sensor similar to a contact lens, the researchers were able to accurately monitor sleep apnea patients’ eye pressure throughout the course of their sleep for the first time. We used to assume that eye pressure increased when patients stopped exhaling, but in fact the researchers found just the opposite: patients stopped inhaling when their sleep apnea symptoms kicked in, which actually lowered eye pressure.

However, the end result was still much the same. That stoppage of inhaled breath led to hypoxia in the eyes, or a condition where inadequate levels of oxygen are able to reach cellular tissue. Without enough oxygen, the cells wither and die.

This, the researchers claim, is what’s truly behind the link between sleep apnea and glaucoma. If verified, these results could have huge implications for treating glaucoma in non-OSAS patients, as previously the mechanisms of the disease have been poorly understood.

For sleep apnea patients, the message is still much the same: get the treatment and equipment you need to manage your sleep apnea and get a better, more healthful night of rest. Your eyes will thank you!

The Pros and Cons of Dental Appliances for Sleep Apnea

This entry was posted in Blog on July 11, 2016 by lou.

Sleep apnea is no joke. Undiagnosed moderate to severe sleep apnea in middle-aged adults may cause $3.4 billion in additional medical costs in the U.S., and one of the worst parts about it is that the condition is entirely treatable. There are over 100 different oral applications that are FDA approved for the treatment of snoring and sleep apnea, all of which are effective. Something like a mandibular positioning device can increase upper airway capacity by 50 to 75% with maximum mandibular protrusion. These dental devices change where pressure is concentrated in your airways, so you can breathe and sleep easier.

It can be hard to choose your particular device, and extra hard to choose between a CPAP machine and a mouthpiece for sleep apnea. Check out the pros and cons of a sleep apnea mouthpiece here to better inform your decision to take back your sleep and life.

PROS

Some people find that dental devices are actually more comfortable than CPAP masks.
Oral devices don’t tend to cause itchy and dry airways, as is often the case with patients using CPAP masks, due to the forced air.
Less equipment means that there is more flexibility to be had while sleeping.
Less equipment also means less fuss and anxiety when traveling.

CONS

Some people complain of jaw pain, soreness, and tension when using dental devices.
It is possible that these devices can cause the loosening of dental restorations, like crowns and bridges.
Possible damage or changes to a patient’s jaw position or bite can be the result of using a dental device.

When figuring out treatment for your condition, it is important to look at many different sleep apnea mouthpieces and find the best way to improve your airflow during sleep. This might also include making lifestyle changes in your diet and exercise routine or in your sleeping position and the quality of your bed. Sleep apnea can prevent you from getting the rest you need. Don’t compromise when it comes to your health. Consult with a doctor to find the perfect mouthpiece or CPAP machine.

4 Common Problems With CPAP Mask and How to Overcome Them

This entry was posted in Blog on July 11, 2016 by lou.

More than 18 million Americans have sleep apnea, and the condition poses many risks for patients. For example, due to the sleeplessness and lack of ability to concentrate that are associated with apnea, sufferers are six times more likely to die in a car accident, and are at risk of many other possible repercussions and health consequences.

Luckily, treatment is easy and accessible. Many sleep apnea treatments involve a sleep apnea device, like a mouthpiece for sleep. One option, a CPAP machine, clears the blocked airways with forced air — but problems can arise. Troubleshoot them here:

Dry, Stuffy Nose
If this becomes an issue when you start using your CPAP machine, one solution might be to switch to a device that features a heated humidifier attached to the air pressure machine. Another alternative is to use a nasal saline spray at bedtime. If the problem continues, your doctor may prescribe you a nasal steroid spray.

Difficulty With Forced Air
Many masks have a “ramp” feature that allows you to start with lower air pressure that gradually and automatically increases over time as you fall asleep. Another alternative is switching to a unit that supplies adjusted pressure as you sleep, like a bi-level positive airway pressure device.

Transitional Difficulties
It can be quite difficult to make the transition from no mask to mask, especially if you sleep on your stomach or side. It might help to “practice” wearing the mask for short periods of time while you’re awake or during short naps to get yourself accustomed to how it feels. If it still doesn’t sit right and prevents you from falling asleep, consider going back to your doctor to make sure that you have the right CPAP mask fit.

Finding the Right Fit
Over 100 different oral appliances are FDA approved for the treatment of snoring and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), including mask attachments for the CPAP machine. And yet, in a sea full of options, it can often feel like it’s impossible to find the right fit. It is most important to work closely with your doctor and the CPAP provider to find the exact fit and mask type for you. When trying them out, make sure to lay down in the position in which you normally sleep, and try out different styles. For instance, there are full face masks, masks with nasal pillows, and much more minimal masks.

Sleep tight!

Study Shows Sleep Apnea in Children Has Long Term Negative Effects

This entry was posted in Blog on June 24, 2016 by lou.

Across the United States, an estimated 50-70 million adults suffer from sleep or wakefulness disorders. In total, more than 18 million Americans suffer from sleep apnea, including children.

Sleep apnea is a serious health disorder, in which a person stops breathing while they are sleeping. During an average night’s sleep, a person who suffers from obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) may have up to 60 apneas an hour. There are many sleep apnea causes, but OSA primarily occurs when the muscles in one’s throat relax, therefore not giving the mouth’s soft palate enough support. The mouth’s airways are then closed, meaning that the sufferer cannot get an adequate breath in. The brain then notifies the body of the lack of oxygen, and temporarily wakes the person up so they can breathe normally. Typically, these awakenings are so brief that a sleep apnea patient doesn’t even remember them.

Generally, many people think that this disorder limited only to adults. But a study that focuses on the long term results of sleep apnea in children is proving that myth to be false.

In a study done by the University of Chicago and presented at this year’s American Thoracic Society’s annual conference in San Francisco, researchers found that young children who suffer from a sleeping disorder may have negative consequences on their attention span, memory, and language development down the line.

This study involved 1,400 school children that all had various stages of a sleep disorders. They were divided into four groups based on their severity of the disorder, with some snoring and some not. The kids then were given sleep apnea tests and had to answer thorough tests that measured brain function, language, and decision making skills.

With the results, the researchers came to the conclusion that even a mild sleep disorder, such as soft snoring, had an increasingly negative effect on that child’s ability to think coherently.

In the future, these researchers hope to develop this evaluation into a way to give long-term treatment to children with the disorder. By using the simple brain development tests, doctors hope to answer some questions about the cause-and-effect of sleep disorders and cognitive abilities.

Endurance Athletes May Have Sleep Apnea to Blame for Increased Difficulties

This entry was posted in Blog on June 10, 2016 by lou.

More than 18 million American’s have been diagnosed with sleep apnea, a disorder that causes pauses, or apneas, in sufferers’ breathing patterns during sleep. This disorder can be hazardous since it decreases focus and concentration throughout the day. Indeed, due to the sleeplessness and lack of ability to concentrate that are associated with apnea, sufferers are six times more likely to die in a car accident.

The condition, which can be caused by obesity and airway obstructions, can be treated with lifestyle adjustments or a range of dental devices designed to open up obstructed airways. There are over 100 different FDA-approved oral applications that are available for the treating of obstructive sleep apnea.

But are there other factors that can contribute to the onset of sleep apnea?An article from Summit Daily reports that Dr. Warren Johnson, living in Summit County, Colorado, at an altitude of 9,00 feet, found that he was suffering from sleep apnea while conducting a study on the effects of altitude on the heart.

Soon after Johnson discovered that he had the condition, he used an oximeter to find that his blood oxygen levels were also much lower than he wanted. He started sleeping with oxygen at night. He said “I think it’s important that athletes or anyone — I think everyone should do this — can use oxygen at night,” especially at such high elevations.

“It’s very subtle,” he went on to say of central sleep apnea, “But, if athletes are interested in evaluating their performance at altitude, they should consider overnight oxymetry.”

Indeed, this finding is particularly important for endurance athletes in high altitudes to consider.Sleep apnea devices, like CPAP machines, might not guarantee an athlete the right amount of sleep to fight against anaerobic exertion. For endurance athletes, that means getting nine to 10 hours of sleep before the start of a race or competition, something that sleep apnea would seriously impede.

So, Johnson suggests trying sleeping with oxygen — but emphasizes that it’s important to consult a doctor, get sleep apnea tests, and try out a sleep apnea device to really determine whether or not the condition is affecting endurance.

durance Athletes May Have Sleep Apnea To Blame For Increased Difficulties

This entry was posted in Blog on June 10, 2016 by lou.

But are there other factors that can contribute to the onset of sleep apnea? An article from Summit Daily reports that Dr. Warren Johnson, living in Summit County, Colorado, at an altitude of 9,00 feet, found that he was suffering from sleep apnea while conducting a study on the effects of altitude on the heart.

“It’s very subtle,” he went on to say of central sleep apnea, “But, if athletes are interested in evaluating their performance at altitude, they should consider overnight oxymetry.”

Lifestyle Changes That Will Help You Alleviate Apnea Symptoms

This entry was posted in Blog on May 18, 2016 by lou.

Sleep apnea is not only an inconvenient annoyance, but a serious health risk. People with the disorder are six times more likely to die in a car accident, and it can affect many areas of one’s life. For instance, your work and personal life may suffer from extreme exhaustion caused by the many apneas experienced during sleep.

Sleep apnea causes range from genetics to heavy allergies, but one thing is for certain — bad health and certain lifestyle choices can have a serious effect on the severity of your condition. Treatment options are also diverse, and sufferers have over 100 FDA approved oral applications for the treatment of snoring and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). A simple mouthpiece for sleep apnea can do a lot to alleviate symptoms, but many people would prefer to lessen them by changing their lifestyle. Check out these tips for altering your lifestyle as a treatment for sleep apnea disorders:

Maintain a healthy weight
Obesity has been linked with sleep apnea time and time again — the extra weight literally obstructs upper airways. This has been linked with other health problems as well — about half of all sleep apnea sufferers face a diagnosis of hypertension. By maintaining a healthy weight, through diet and exercise, you will not only alleviate the symptoms of your sleep apnea, but improve in many other areas of your health as well.

Avoid Alcohol and Drugs
They can relax the central nervous system, which in effect causes the throat to relax, and can cause a central form of sleep apnea. Refraining from these substances can also help improve your quality of sleep in general.

Quit smoking immediately!
Quitting smoking will help you breathe much better in general, and as soon as you quit, your lungs start healing themselves. Not to mention, other harmful effects from smoking will alleviate themselves.

Undiagnosed sleep apnea in middle-aged adults may cause $3.4 billion in additional medical costs in the U.S., which is why you should be proactive about changing your lifestyle for the better and working on healthier habits in all areas of your life.

3 Health Risks Sleep Apnea Sufferers May Face

This entry was posted in Blog on May 16, 2016 by lou.

Sleep apnea disorders are common — they are conditions in which the obstruction of the upper airways leads to “apneas” or pauses in breath during sleep. Doesn’t sound like a big deal, right? But a person with sleep apnea might experience up to 60 apneas per hour, which disrupts the sleep cycle and results in a very unrested person come morning time. Not only that, but sleep apnea can lead to many other medical problems. In fact, undiagnosed moderate to severe sleep apnea in middle-aged adults may cause up to $3.4 billion in additional medical costs in the United States. Make sure to be aware of the risks presented by sleep apnea, and get medical help with a sleep apnea device if need be:

1. High Blood Pressure
Around half of all sleep apnea sufferers face a diagnosis of high blood pressure. Indeed, waking up so many times during the night causes hormone systems to go into hyper-overdrive, which in turn boosts your blood pressure levels. Also, not breathing well in your sleep can cause the oxygen level in your blood drop, which can add to the hypertension issue. Luckily, treating sleep apnea can also help treat high blood pressure. In fact, some patients who get sleep apnea help are able to cut back on their blood pressure medication.

2. Heart Disease
Obstructive sleep apnea can make heart attacks more likely. It is thought to be because of a combination of low oxygen and the stress of waking up very often. Your brain may have trouble controlling how blood flows in your arteries, which also contributes to the fact that stroke and atrial fibrillation (a problem with the rhythm of your heartbeat), are also linked to sleep apnea.

3. Diabetes (Type 2)
It is not uncommon for these two conditions to overlap since obesity raises a person’s risk for both disorders. Also, not getting enough sleep can prevent your body from properly using insulin, a shortage of which can lead to diabetes.

Sleep apnea disorders, although scary, are entirely treatable. If you suspect you might have the condition, go to your doctor for sleep apnea tests and a mouthpiece fitting.

Sleep Apnea Tests: Getting Officially Diagnosed

This entry was posted in Blog on May 12, 2016 by Lou.

Sleep apnea — the disruption of breathing during sleep that causes daytime drowsiness and makes it hard to concentrate — is extremely common. In fact, more than 18 million Americans have it. It might be possible to leave it untreated, but its negative effects could have serious repercussions on you and the people around you. The condition can overflow and cause other conditions. For instance, about half of all sleep apnea sufferers also face a hypertension diagnosis.

Treating your sleep apnea will vastly improve your life — but the real question is, how?

Luckily, there are over 100 different types of oral appliances that are FDA approved for the treatment of both snoring and obstructive sleep apnea. It can be hard to choose the right one, so make sure to assess them based on this criteria before you make a purchase:

Comfort
The most important feature of your new sleep apnea device should be its comfort. Otherwise, you really won’t get any sleep! Most people stop noticing their mouthpiece after a few days, especially when the comparative positive impact becomes very clear. Try to assess what your specific preferences are. It might be a good idea to take note of what position and where you sleep before you go in for a consultation

Clean-ability
As with anything you put in your mouth everyday, it will be nice to know that you don’t have to worry about sanitizing and cleaning. That’s why it’s important to look for a sleep apnea dental device that either has a cleaning feature or is easily sanitized by soaking it in a simple solution. You’ll rest much easier knowing that maintaining your mouthpiece won’t be a chore.

Affordability
The fact is that if you want to treat your sleep apnea, you have to spend a little money. But how much money? It depends on what your priorities are, and how bad your sleep apnea is. The average cost for a sleep apnea mouth guard is $1,800 to $2,000, but can be even more if you need a more specialized sleep apnea device. Shop around before you settle — but don’t let the perfect mouth guard get away!

Take back your life from sleep apnea today!

What to Look For In A Sleep Apnea Device

This entry was posted in Blog on May 13, 2016 by lou.

Treating your sleep apnea will vastly improve your life — but the real question is, how?

Take back your life from sleep apnea today!

Sleep Apnea 101: How to Know What To Do

This entry was posted in Blog on March 14, 2016 by lou.

Have you recently been blindsided by a sleep apnea diagnosis? If so, here are a few things you need to know.

What is sleep apnea?
Sleep apnea is a disorder in which a person has one or more pauses (or apneas) in breathing, or shallow breaths while sleeping. These pauses may last only a few seconds or for as long a minute or more. On the average night of sleep, a sufferer of obstructive sleep apnea may experience 60 apneas per hour. When your breathing is disturbed, you often move out of deep sleep and into light sleep.

What are the risks entailed?
Although an estimated 18 million Americans have sleep apnea, it can pose serious side effects. As a result of disrupted sleep cycles, apnea is a leading cause of daytime sleepiness. Indeed, due to sleeplessness and the lack of ability to concentrate, sufferers are six times more likely to die in a car accident than non-sufferers. Those suffering from severe and untreated sleep apnea died at a rate of more than three times those without the condition in a continuing study of sleep problems spanning 18 years. A general lack of productivity and change in character are also risks and certainly make life more uncomfortable.

What are my treatment options?
Most people who have sleep apnea don’t know they suffer because it occurs during sleep. It is important to be aware of the signs of apnea and treat it early. Signs include excessive daytime sleepiness, loud snoring, episodes of breathing cessation (as noted by another person), morning headache, and insomnia.

Luckily, there are many options for sleep apnea treatment. Since it can be caused by excessive weight bearing down on the upper air passages, a change in lifestyle and weight loss is often the first thing recommended by doctors. Other treatments include mandibular repositioning devices (MRDs) which are special mouth pieces designed to help the lower jaw protrude slightly, thusly opening up airways. They are proven to increase upper airway capacity by 50 to 75% with maximum mandibular protrusion.

For extreme cases, Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) masks are a common and effective treatment. These breathing masks deliver air pressure through your nose, keeping your upper airway passages open.

There are over 100 different FDA approved mouthpieces for sleep apnea, so don’t let anything stop you from overcoming your sleep apnea and getting the rest you need!

Three Ways to Allievate the Symptomns of Sleep Apnea Naturally

This entry was posted in Blog on May 10, 2016 by lou.

If you wake up several times a night, have severe snoring problems, or feel exhausted no matter how much sleep you think you got, you may have sleep apnea. Despite how foreign it may feel, it’s a very common disorder — more than 18 million Americans suffer from it, and an estimated 50-70 million U.S. adults suffer from some sort of sleep of wakefulness disorder.

When you go to your doctor for sleep apnea tests, it is important to consider what the sleep apnea causes were that led to your particular case, and in turn, how they can lead to effective treatments.

There are many options for treatment: MRD (mandibular redepositing device) is a mouthpiecedesigned to re-position the jaw forward to increase upper airway capacity by up to 75%. CPAP masks send a stream of air into your throat to make sure your lungs are receiving enough oxygen.

However, if you are looking to avoid these conventional and effective — yet sometimes inconvenient — methods, here are three natural ways to fight sleep apnea:

1. Loose Weight
Extra body fat may have a role in the obstruction of your airways, causing sleep apnea. By eating healthy and exercising, many people see vast improvements in their symptoms, as well as an improvement in overall health, which can make a person more energetic, alert, and happy. Start slow by walking everyday and making little improvements in your diet to start alleviating your symptoms.

2. Change your Sleeping Position
By shifting from your back to your side, you may relieve some of the pressure that has been blocking up your airways. Reducing the elevation of your head by removing extra pillows may also be key to aligning your airways and resting at a more natural angle.

3. Take Your Vitamins
Not only is it important for your overall health, but your sleep apnea may be caused by muscular tension from a lack of vitamins like magnesium, or Vitamin D. It can’t hurt to try to see if your diet is leaving you lacking in certain essential vitamins.

Be sure to consult with your doctor before starting any kind of treatment, and remember, if the holistic approach doesn’t work out, don’t be afraid to try the conventional alternative, like mouthpieces and CPAP masks.

Sleep Apnea is Not Something You Want to Ignore

This entry was posted in Blog on March 2, 2016 by lou.

Good sleep isn’t just important for the mind — it’s important for the body as well. Over 18 million Americans suffer from something known as sleep apnea, a condition characterized by obstructive sleep that can cause the individual to stop breathing up to 60 times per hour while sleeping.

What Causes This Condition?
There’s no one cause for sleep apnea — the origins and the severity of the condition can vary patient by patient. In fact, many people are completely unaware that they even have sleep apnea, because they obviously cannot observe themselves while they sleep. If you or someone you know has sleep apnea, common symptoms include daytime sleepiness, excessive snoring, waking up with a sore mouth, and morning headaches. Doctors can run controlled sleep apnea tests to see if you have the condition or if there is something else at play.

Not Something You Want to Ignore
Some health problems are things we can leave until the next day. A sore throat, for example, might resolve itself over time. Undiagnosed sleep apnea, though, can have a serious impact on your long-term health. Because it interferes with the natural sleep cycle and one’s ability to concentrate, people with untreated sleep apnea are six times more likely to die in a car accident. Many health problems have become associated with sleep apnea, as well; about 50% of those with the condition are facing a hypertension diagnosis.

What You Can Do: Sleep Apnea Treatments
Luckily, there are numerous solutions available for combating sleep apnea. What many people may not realize is that, along with old standbys like the CPAP machine, the FDA has approved over 100 oral appliances for treatment of sleep apnea, as well as snoring. A sleep apnea mouthpiece, also known as a mandibular reposition device, can increase upper airway capacity by 50-70%. These devices may sound intimidating, but in reality, they are quite similar to an athletic mouthguard and can be worn without too much discomfort, especially once one becomes used to the sensation.

You may suspect you have sleep apnea, or had a doctor or dentist tell you that you’re a likely sufferer based on your symptoms. Sleep apnea is a serious issue, but it has solutions. Sleep apnea treatments are within your reach and can help you sleep well, and live long in the process.

Everything You Need to Know About A Sleep Apnea Dental Device

This entry was posted in Blog on February 29, 2016 by lou.

Taxes, home repair, loans… Americans have many things in common, and you may be surprised to hear that sleep apnea is one of them. Indeed, over 18 million Americans have sleep apnea, which can be disruptive and demoralizing.

Sleep apnea is often caused by obstructed airways, which prevent your body from breathing in a regular rhythms when you sleep. A sufferer of obstructive sleep apnea may experience 60 apneas, or pauses, in their breathing per hour. The result is that the sufferer wakes up no more well-rested than when they went to sleep. This condition could cause major health issues, as well as dangerous fatigue, depression, and inability to concentrate. In fact, due to the sleeplessness and concentration issues associated with apnea, sufferers are six times more likely to die in a car accident than non-sufferers.

The good news is that there are several treatment methods. Sometimes, a drastic change in lifestyle (diet, exercise, routines) can correct the problem, but for those with more severe cases, there are special devices designed to relive the airway obstruction and keep you sleeping, and breathing, through the night.

How can the dentist help with sleep apnea?
After you’ve undergone sleep apnea tests to confirm the problem, the dentist could be your next stop.

Sleep apnea dental devices, fitted by qualified dentists, are proven to relieve the symptoms of apnea. Worn during the night, the oral devices keep your lower jaw in an upright, forward position, which helps keep airways free.

Also known as Mandibular Repositioning Devices, MRDs, these oral devices can increase upper airway capacity by 50-75%, with maximum mandibular protrusion. These devices are also known to decrease snoring, which is often a by product of sleep apnea.

The dentist will take a mold of your mouth, and send it to a lab where the appliance is made. Then, the dentist fits it to your mouth to maximize the comfort and effectiveness of the device.

The many benefits of sleep apnea dental devices include: comfort, wearability, easy to travel with and care for. With minimal follow up visits to your dentist, this device should constitute an easy solution for your sleep apnea..

Sleep Apnea 101: What It Is and How to Treat It

This entry was posted in Blog on February 2, 2016 by lou.

Did you know that more than 18 million Americans suffer from sleep apnea disorders? This common disorder disrupts an individual’s sleep with pauses in breathing, which is often followed by a loud snorting or a choking sound. This can affect sleep patterns negatively, causing daytime drowsiness.

Although this disorder may not sound like a big deal now, it can have serious consequences. Here are a few things you should know.

How bad is sleep apnea?
Although the breathing pauses are not normally more than a few seconds, sleep apnea is often a chronic condition and can result in other medical conditions, especially if left untreated. The exhaustion and lack of concentration associated with sleep apnea makes it six times more likely for sufferers to die in a car accident. About half of all those who suffer from sleep apnea are also diagnosed with hypertension, and the cost of additional medical costs from undiagnosed moderate to severe sleep apnea in middle aged adults could be as much as $3.4 billion.

Worst of all, one study found that over an 18 year period, people suffering from untreated sleep apnea died at a rate more than three times that of people without it.

How can sleep apnea be treated?
Treatment is essential, and often does not require medication.Sleep apnea treatments include lifestyle changes, oral mouthpieces for sleep apnea, breathing devices, and in the most severe cases, surgery.

For more mild cases, seeking sleep apnea dental advice is helpful, since dentists are able to make custom molds and mouthpieces that will widen the nasal and mandibular passages ostructing air flow during sleep. A mandibular repositioning device (MRD), designed to promoted mandibular advancement, can help restore upper airway capacity by up to 75%. There are over 100 different oral appliances that are FDA approved as sleep apnea treatments. MRDs and other such devices are highly effective, as can be making some choice changes in diet and behaviors. Quitting smoking, losing weight, sleeping on your side, avoiding alcohol can all help ease the symptoms of mild sleep apnea.

More advanced sleep apnea treatments include the use of a breathing machine, which blows air into a sufferer’s throat to keep their airways open. A qualified technician comes to the sufferers home and adjusts the machine based on their individual situations.

If you have any questions, feel free to share in the comments..

Here are 3 Important Things to Know About Sleep Apnea and Sleep Apnea Mouthpieces

This entry was posted in Blog on January 29, 2016 by lou.

Sleep apnea disorders plague millions of Americans, making it almost impossible (and even dangerous) to fall asleep. While taking sleep apnea tests should be your first step in treating this serious condition, you’ll also need to seek home remedies in order to sleep safely and comfortably.Here are 3 Important Things to Know About Sleep Apnea and Sleep Apnea Mouthpieces

Sleep apnea causes are not fully understood by the medical community, but there are several options available to you that will make it much easier to get a good night’s sleep. Sleep apnea mouthpieces have completely revolutionized the way that patients experience sleep, allowing them to rest without the loud noise and annoyance of CPAP machines.

Here’s a quick overview of the condition and how sleep apnea mouthpieces can enhance your quality of life:

You are not alone
While you may feel like you’re the only one who deals with sleep apnea on a nightly basis, this couldn’t be further from the truth. More than 18 million Americans have sleep apnea, representing approximately 6% of the total population. Many people who suffer from sleep apnea don’t even know they have it until complications arise, which is why it’s so important to seek treatment if you feel like something is wrong with your sleep pattern.

Health risks associated with sleep apnea
Treating sleep apnea as soon as possible is crucial, because of the many health issues associated with this complex condition. Due to the sleeplessness and lack of ability to concentrate that can result from apnea, sufferers are six times more likely to die in a car accident. Also, about half of all sleep apnea sufferers face a diagnosis of hypertension, further adding to their medical troubles.

Benefits of sleep apnea mouthpieces
Sleep apnea mouthpieces allow sufferers just like you to get rid of clunky CPAP machines and start sleeping comfortably once again. Tongue retaining appliances hold the tongue in a forward position, preventing it from blocking your airway. Mandibular repositioning devices (MRD) can increase upper airway capacity by 50-75% with maximum mandibular protrusion, allowing you to breathe comfortably throughout the night.

You deserve to sleep in comfort and peace, and being proactive about your condition will allow you to do just that. Invest in a sleep apnea mouthpiece and regain control of your sleep, as well as your health.

How Do Sleep Studies Work?

This entry was posted in Blog on January 4, 2016 by lou.

More than 18 million people across the country suffer from sleep apnea, a serious condition in which a person’s breathing repeatedly stops and starts when they’re sleeping. A continuing study found over an 18-year period that people with severe, untreated sleep apnea died three times more than those without apnea. It’s so serious that because of the sleeplessness and lack of ability to concentrate, sufferers are six times more likely to die in a car accident.

Fortunately, you can use a mouthpiece for sleep apnea to help you breathe properly and get a restful night’s sleep. But first, it’s necessary to undergo sleep apnea tests to determine if that’s really the problem. Here’s what this involves.

What Is a Sleep Study?
Doctors often can’t diagnose sleep disorders in a normal office visit, because they need to gather more conclusive evidence while you’re sleeping. These tests help them diagnose sleep disorders like sleep apnea, narcolepsy, and insomnia. Sleep studies are non-invasive, overnight exams that allow doctors to monitor you while you’re sleeping to see what’s going on in your brain and body. They’re typically conducted in sleep labs, which are usually in a hospital or a sleep center.

What Happens During a Sleep Study?
An EEG monitor collects data on your sleep stages and the cycles of REM and nonREM as you sleep. This data is used to identify possible disruptions in your sleep patterns. Sleep studies also measure such things as your eye movements, blood oxygen levels, heart and breathing rates, body movements, and snoring.

What Happens Next?
Once your sleep study is done, a technologist will take the data they’ve collected, which will later be evaluated by your doctor. This process can take up to two weeks, which means you’ll need to schedule a follow up appointment with your doctor to go over the study’s results.

Considering the seriousness of sleep apnea, it’s absolutely important that you undergo a sleep study if you think you have it, so that you can do something about it. If you have any questions about sleep tests, feel free to share in the comments..

Getting Through Sleep Apnea: What You Should Know

This entry was posted in Blog on December 29, 2015 by lou.

There are more than 18 million Americans who suffer from sleep apnea, and if you’re one of them, relax. You can get through it. Here’s what you should know.

Realize There’s an Issue
The first step of treating your sleep apnea is to realize you may have a problem. If you snore loudly when you’re sleeping, stop breathing suddenly throughout the whole night, wake up short of breath abruptly, have a dry mouth or sore throat, have a headache in the morning, can’t stay awake, are tired throughout the day, can’t pay attention, and are irritable, then you may suffer from sleep apnea.

Get Tested
In order to accurately diagnose your disorder, you’ll need to stay undergo a polysomnogram, which is also known as a sleep study. This means you’ll have to go to a sleep center, and let technicians monitor you when you’re sleeping. They use special equipment to record data, which is then sent for analysis. After a week or two, your doctor will get the results back and diagnose you with sleep apnea or perhaps another disorder you may suffer from when sleeping.

Review Your Options
If you do have sleep apnea, don’t worry. There are several sleep apnea treatments that can help you get a healthy night’s sleep. In fact, there are actually more than 100 different oral appliances that are FDA-approved for the treatment of snoring and obstructive sleep apnea. You can use a mouthpiece for sleep apnea, which is designed to open your throat by bringing your jaw forward. This can sometimes relieve snoring and mild obstructive sleep apnea. Which sleep apnea mouthpiece you need all depends on your individual case and preference.

Undiagnosed sleep apnea in middle-aged adults could potentially cause $3.4 billion in additional medical costs in the U.S., believe it or not. If you think you may suffer apneas when you’re sleeping, it’s time to do something about it. If you have any questions, feel free to share in the comments..

Can’t Sleep? Blame It on One of These 3 Disorders

This entry was posted in Blog on November 23, 2015 by lou.

Did you know that 50 to 70 million U.S. adults have sleep or wakefulness disorder? Here are just a few of the most common issues, and what can be done about them.

Sleep Apnea
Believe it or not, more than 18 million Americans have sleep apnea, which means that when they sleep, they may stop breathing as frequently as 60 times in just one hour. This prevents them from getting restorative sleep, and can lead to some serious issues. It’s also the reason why many people snore. In order to deal with this disorder, it’s necessary for a person to see a doctor, and talk to them about getting a mouthpiece for sleep apnea. Granted, there are many different sleep apnea treatments out there, but the mouthpiece is cost efficient, effective, and more comfortable to use.

Insomnia
Insomnia is another common sleep disorder that makes it hard to get to sleep, hard to stay asleep, or even both. Worst of all, a number of common problems can lead to insomnia, such as stress, anxiety, depression, poor sleep habits, medical conditions, medications, and more. Fortunately, there are prescriptive medicines that can help people deal with insomnia, as well as other sleeping techniques. For example, if you suffer from insomnia, you may want to try changing your sleep schedule, limiting naps, exercising regularly, and eliminating stress.

Restless Leg Syndrome
Someone suffering from restless leg syndrome has uncontrollable urges to move their legs, usually because they don’t feel comfortable. This most often happens at night when they’re sitting or lying down, making it difficult to go to sleep. The two most common reasons people suffer from RLS is because of a hereditary condition or because of pregnancy. Thankfully, there are medications that can help. Talk to your doctor about your options.

If you have any questions, feel free to share in the comments..

How Do Sleep Apnea Mouthpieces Work?

This entry was posted in Blog on November 17, 2015 by lou.

As many illnesses and disorders are treated with medicine, it may seem odd to some that there are sleep apnea treatments that use mouthpieces. After all, wouldn’t it be easier if there was just a pill that could help them get through the night rather than some mouthpiece for sleep apnea?

To understand how this device works and why it works, you must first understand the different sleep apnea causes. Only then will themouthpiece make complete and perfect sense.

How Obstructive Sleep Apnea Occurs
Obstructive sleep apnea, far and away the most common type of sleep apnea, occurs when the muscles in the back of a person’s throat relax. These muscles support the soft palate, the uvula, the tonsils, and side walls of the throat and tongue. When they relax, the airway closes up, preventing a person from breathing. On an average night, someone with obstructive sleep apnea may stop breathing 60 times per hour.

The brain then senses this inability to breathe and briefly wakes that person as a warning to reopen the airway and breathe. These awakenings are typically so brief that the person doesn’t even remember them, but they do affect a person’s sleep. They’re so brief, in fact, that many patients are often unaware of the fact that their sleep was interrupted. Some may even think that they slept well all night.

How Sleep Apnea Mouthpieces Work
There are more than 100 different oral appliances now that have been approved by the FDA to help the some 18 million Americans who suffer from sleep apnea. What these mouthpieces do is keep the airway open when a person sleeps, thusly allowing them to breathe peacefully and without interruption. These mouthpieces have been designed to be easier than other alternatives, such as CPAP machines.

As there are so many different mouthpieces for sleep apnea, some may not work as well for you as others, which means that you need to consult with your doctor and may have to try out different mouthpieces before you find one that’s right for you.

If you have any questions, feel free to share in the comments..

3 Serious Consequences of Not Treating Your Sleep Apnea

This entry was posted in Blog on October 28, 2015 by lou.

If you should be using a sleep apnea mouthpiece and you’re not, you’re putting yourself in grave danger. Sure, on the surface sleep apnea doesn’t seem like that big of a deal, but it can lead to serious consequences. Here are a few things you should know.

Mortality
If severe, untreated sleep apnea is preventing you from sleeping properly, you may pass away sooner than you think. A study of sleep disorders in the general population found that over an 18-year period, those who had severe, untreated sleep apnea died at a rate more than thrice that of those who didn’t suffer from sleep apnea. Paying attention now?

Car Accidents
Chances are you know that if you’re not sleeping enough, you’re pretty groggy, drowsy and generally not-with-it during the day. You might not think that an impaired ability to focus isn’t all that serious, but what about when you’re driving? Because of the sleeplessness and lack of ability to concentrate associated with sleep apnea, those who suffer from the disorder are actually a staggering six times more likely to die in a car accident.

Heart Disease
Those who have obstructive sleep apnea are more likely to suffer a heart attack and die in the middle of the night. This could be because of the low oxygen levels caused by sleep apnea, or it could be because of the increased level of stress from frequently waking up throughout the night. What’s more, stroke and atrial fibrillation are also associated with obstructive sleep apnea. Because sleep apnea disrupts the flow of oxygen, your brain has a harder time trying to regulate the flow of blood in arteries and even the brain itself.

If you’re one of the 18 million Americans suffering from sleep apnea, you need to do something about it. Sleep apnea has serious consequences. If you have any questions, feel free to share in the comments..

What Causes Sleep Apnea?

This entry was posted in Blog on October 20, 2015 by lou.

Many people think that sleep apnea is simply the medical term for snoring, but it’s far, far, far more serious than that. It’s a sleep disorder in which a person literally stops breathing multiple times throughout the night. Someone suffering from obstructive sleep apnea stops breathing 60 times in just one hour on an average night.

Research shows that it’s so dangerous and destructive, undiagnosed moderate to severe sleep apnea in middle-aged adults may cause $3.4 billion in additional medical costs in the United States. Worse, people with severe, untreated sleep apnea died a rate more than three times that of those without apnea.

This is how this horrifying sleep disorder is caused.

Obstructive Sleep Apnea.
Obstructive sleep apnea is caused by the relaxing of the muscles in the back of the throat. These muscles support the soft palate, the uvula, the tonsils, the tongue, and throat’s sidewalls, so when these muscles relax, the airway narrows or even closes as the person breathes in. This prevents them from being able to breathe as they properly should, and could even cause level of oxygen in their blood to lower. When this happens, the brain senses the person’s inability to breathe and briefly rouses them from sleep so that the airway will reopen.

Central Sleep Apnea.
Central sleep apnea is caused by the brain. Sometimes, a person’s brain fails to transmit signals to their breathing muscles, which means that they make no effort to breathe for a short period of time. This causes them to wake up short of breath, or have a difficult time getting to sleep and staying that way. This form of sleep apnea is less common than obstructive sleep apnea, but is still dangerous.

Sleep apnea is deadly serious. If any of these sleep apnea causes sounded familiar to you, talk to your doctor about sleep apnea mouthpieces, as one could save your life. If you have any questions about the different sleep apnea causes, feel free to share in the comments..

The Hidden Dangers of Sleep Apnea: What You Should Know

This entry was posted in Blog on September 25, 2015 by lou.

If your doctor has recommended you consider getting a sleep apnea mouthpiece, or one of the other sleep apnea treatments available, you’d be wise to listen. This sleep disorder is more dangerous than you might realize, as constantly waking up from choking throughout the night can have serious repercussions. Here are just a few of the hidden dangers of sleep apnea.

Hypertension.
Research shows that about half of all sleep apnea sufferers face a diagnosis of hypertension. The frequent nighttime wakings the disorder causes force hormonal systems to go into overdrive, which then results in high blood pressure levels. What’s more, the apneas cut off oxygen, which causes low blood-oxygen levels that can contribute to hypertension as well.

Car Accidents.
If you can’t get a good night’s sleep, you can’t concentrate properly. Because of apnea’s ability to sap a sufferer’s focus, they’re six times more likely to die in a car accident. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration also reports that fatigue is a cause in about 100,000 auto-vehicle crashes, and in about 1,550 crash-related deaths each year in the United States.

Heart Disease.
People who suffer from obstructive sleep apnea — the most common form of the disorder — are also far more likely to suffer heart attacks, and pass away in the middle of the night. This may be a result of low oxygen levels in the night, caused by the inability to breathe, or it could be a result of the stress of frequently waking up throughout the night.

If you’re one of the some 18 million Americans that suffers from sleep apnea, then get a mouthpiece for sleep apnea. It could save your life from hypertension, car accidents, heart disease, and more.

If you have any questions about what this sleep disorder can do, feel free to share in the comments..

FAQ: Your Sleep Apnea Questions Answered

This entry was posted in Blog on September 22, 2015 by lou.

If your doctor’s suggested you invest in a mouthpiece for sleep apnea, you’d be wise to listen to him. Here are just a few things you need to know about this sleep disorder, and what it’s doing to you.

What Is It?
Sleep apnea is a potentially serious sleep disorder that causes the sufferer’s breathing to repeatedly stop and start while they’re asleep. There are three types: obstructive sleep apnea, central sleep apnea, and complex sleep apnea syndrome. In the obstructive form — the most common — the throat muscles relax, restricting breathing as frequently as 60 times in a single hour. In the central form, the brain doesn’t send proper signals to the muscles that control the breathing. The complex form is a combination of both obstructive, and central forms.

How Serious Is It?
This disorder is more serious than you might think. It can cause such symptoms as loud snoring, episodes of breathing cessation, abrupt awakenings, dry mouth, sore throat, morning headaches, insomnia, hypersomnia, attention issues, and irritability. Though these issues may not seem all that dramatic, the disorder can actually prove to be deadly. In one study, people with a severe, untreated form died at a rate of more than three times those without the disorder over an 18-year-period. What’s more, those who suffer from this sleep disorder are also six times more likely to die in a car accident, because of its effect on a person’s ability to concentrate.

What Can Be Done?
Fortunately, there are several different sleep apnea treatments. Both surgical and therapeutic procedures are available. Sleep apnea mouthpieces, in particular, are quite effective, and are often preferred, because they’re more comfortable to use.

If you think you suffer from this awful sleep disorder, schedule an appointment with your doctor. If you’d like to know more about what a sleep apnea dental device can do for you, feel free to share in the comments..

The Cost of Sleep Apnea: What You Should Know About Leaving It Untreated

This entry was posted in Blog on September 18, 2015 by lou.

If you suspect that you have sleep apnea, you need to discuss your treatment options with your doctor. You can’t just leave it alone. If you do, there may be serious consequences. Here are just a few things you should know.

Sleep Apnea Has a Huge Economic Impact.
Believe it or not, undiagnosed, untreated sleep apnea has a serious economic impact. According to one study, undiagnosed moderate to severe sleep apnea in middle-aged adults could be potentially causing about $3.4 billion in additional medical costs in the United States.

It Could Potentially Be Fatal.
Sleep apnea could have potentially fatal consequences. According to a continuing study of sleep problems, people with severe, untreated sleep apnea died at a rate of more than three times that of those who without sleep apnea over an 18-year period. What’s more, sleep apnea can make getting normal, restorative sleep impossible, which means that those who suffer from sleep apnea often find that they’re drowsy, fatigued, and irritable during the day. As a result of this daytime sleepiness and lack of ability to concentrate, those who suffer from sleep apnea are consequently six times more likely to die in a car accident.

Your Partner May Be Suffering, Too.
Your sleep apnea may not exclusively affect you. Your partner may also be suffering. Sleep apnea often causes people to snore loudly, which can prevent anyone around from getting a good night’s sleep. It could event start causing rifts in the relationship. It’s actually more common than you might think for a partner to wind up going to sleep in another room, or even another entire floor of the house. Oftentimes, the bed partners of those who suffer from sleep apnea are also sleep deprived, too.

Don’t put yourself at risk. Talk to your doctor about a sleep apnea mouthpiece, and stop letting this sleep disorder get the better of you. If you have any questions about the sleep apnea treatments that are out there, such as a mouthpiece for sleep apnea, feel free to share in the comments..

Check Yourself: 8 Common Symptoms of Sleep Apnea

This entry was posted in Blog on September 17, 2015 by lou.

Did you know that there are more than 18 million Americans who have sleep apnea? These individuals suffer from a myriad of troubling symptoms. If you find that any sound familiar to you, then chances are you may suffer from sleep apnea, too. Here are just some of the most common ones.

Hypersomnia – One of the most common symptoms of sleep apnea is hypersomnia, or excessive daytime sleepiness. If you feel like you’re constantly nodding off, even after a couple cups of coffee, you may be suffering from sleep apnea.
Loud Snoring – Loud snoring is another common symptom of sleep apnea, and is actually more prominent in cases of obstructive sleep apnea. Loud snoring indicates that there’s an issue with your air passageways, that something is obstructing it and causing the noise.
Apneas – People who suffer from sleep apnea suffer — as you probably imagined — sleep apneas. In other words, they often stop breathing during the night. On an average night’s sleep, someone with obstructive sleep apnea may stop breathing as many as 60 times in just one hour.
Abruptly Waking – Those who suffer from sleep apnea often find that they wake up abruptly in the night. When they do, they’re often short of breath, which is indicative of central sleep apnea.
Dry Mouth – If you wake up with a dry mouth or sore throat, then you may have sleep apnea.
Morning Headache – If you stop breathing multiple times throughout the night, your body isn’t going to get enough oxygen. Consequently, you may find that you wake up in the morning with a headache.
Insomnia – Those who suffer from sleep apnea often have trouble staying asleep. This is because their apneas — the cessation of breathing during sleep — forces them to wake up throughout the night.
Attention Issues – A person who hasn’t gotten enough sleep simply isn’t at their best. The body needs sleep to function, and without enough of it, the mind can’t focus, which is why those who suffer from sleep apnea often find that they have attention issues.

If you find that you suffer from these symptoms, you may need to talk to your doctor about getting a mouthpiece for sleep apnea. There are several, different, effective, sleep apnea treatments available, including therapies and surgeries. In fact, there are actually more than 100 different oral appliances that are FDA approved for the treatment of snoring and obstructive sleep apnea. However, many prefer using a sleep apnea mouthpiece, which is both affordable and convenient.

If you have any questions about sleep apnea or the mouthpiece that can help you, feel free to share in the comments..

The Dangers of Sleep Apnea: What You Need to Know

This entry was posted in Blog on July 30, 2015 by lou.

Sleep apnea is a lot more dangerous than you might think. If you’re of the more than 18 million Americans suffering from this disorder, you need to seriously consider getting a sleep apnea dental device, or pursuing another option. Here’s why:

Sleep Apnea Can Lead to Several Other Issues.

There are two types of sleep apnea: obstructive sleep apnea, and central sleep apnea. The former is more common, and is caused by a blockage of the airway, which usually happens when the soft tissue in the back of the throat collapses when a person goes to sleep. Central sleep apnea occurs when the brain fails to signal the muscles to breathe as a result of the instability in the respiratory control center. If left untreated, sleep apnea can cause high blood pressure, stroke, heart failure, an irregular heart beat, heart attacks, diabetes, depression, and headaches.

Sleep Apnea Is More Disruptive Than You Might Think.

On an average night, a patient with obstructive sleep apnea may experience 60 apneas in an hour. That’s a total of 480 apneas during eight hours of sleep. In other words, a person may have difficulty or stop breathing all together nearly 500 times a night.

It Can Put a Patient’s Life at Risk.

The main reason why sleep apnea dental devices are so important is because it can put a patient’s life at risk. According to a continuing study of sleep problems in the general population, people with severe, untreated sleep apnea died a rate more than three times that of those without apnea over an 18-year period.

If these dentist sleep apnea statistics gave you food for thought, good. This disorder is serious, and needs to be taken as such. Without a sleep apnea mouthpiece, or the help of any other sleep apnea treatments, your health could be very seriously compromised.

If you’d like to know more about how a mouthpiece for sleep apnea can help you, feel free to share in the comments..

3 Reasons You Need to Treat Your Sleep Apnea Right Now

This entry was posted in Blog on July 29, 2015 by lou.

Wearing your sleep apnea dental device is more important than you might think it is. Here are just a few reasons why:

There Are Serious Consequences of Not Getting Enough Sleep.

During an average night, someone suffering obstructive sleep apnea may experience as many as 60 apneas per hour, which will obviously prevent them from being able to get a decent night’s rest. Without sleep, a person can become irritable, suffer short term memory issues, gain weight, lack reaction time, and get distracted easier.

Sleep Apnea Can Lead to Serious Health Issues.

If left untreated, sleep apnea can lead to a growing number of health issues, including headaches, depression, diabetes, heart attacks, irregular heart beats, heart failure, stroke, and high blood pressure. In other words, sleep apnea may not seem like that big of a deal to you, but it’s going to cause some pretty big medical issues.

It Can Have Fatal Consequences.

Sleep apnea itself has not been proven to be fatal, but it has been found to have some potentially fatal consequences. A continuing study of sleep problems in the general population has had some alarming findings: over an 18-year period, people who suffered from severe, untreated sleep apnea died at a rate three times higher than those who didn’t suffer from sleep apnea. What’s more, sleep apnea patients are six times more likely to die in a car accident as a result of the sleepiness and lack of ability to concentrate.

If you’re one of the some 18 million Americans who suffers from this condition, you need to wear your sleep apnea dental device, and if you don’t already have a sleep apnea mouthpiece, you need to purchase one, or at least pursue other sleep apnea treatments. They could save your life.

If you have any questions about dentist sleep apnea approaches, or about the importance of a mouthpiece for sleep apnea, feel free to share in the comments..

Oral Appliance Therapy or CPAP Treatment?

This entry was posted in Blog on June 29, 2015 by Dr. James C. Goff.

Obstructive sleep apnea is a dangerous sleep disorder that can dramatically increase your risk for a number of serious health conditions, including heart disease, stroke, and depression. Successfully alleviating the severity of your sleep apnea symptoms depends on an accurate diagnosis and treatment for each patient’s case.

Most sleep apnea sufferers have two treatment options to choose from. Wearing a device called oral appliance therapy or using a CPAP machine. Both options will help sustain a healthy flow of air into the body while you sleep when used consistently and correctly.

Oral Appliance Therapy
Oral appliance therapy provides an easier way to treat mild to moderate sleep apnea. The custom fitted oral appliances are fabricated in a dental lab to fit the precise measurements of your mouth and jaw. Made of hard acrylic, the appliance has two parts that fit snugly over your top and bottom dental arches. The device gently repositions the lower jaw so that it protrudes slightly and thus prevents the airway from closing as the throat muscles relax during sleep. Oral appliances are great for patients who:
• Have mild to moderate obstructive sleep apnea
• Who have difficulty using their prescribed CPAP machine consistently

Since the success of your sleep apnea treatment depends heavily on your willingness to comply with treatment, it makes sense to choose an option which feels less bulky.

Constant Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP)
The CPAP machine consists of a face or nasal mask that is connected to a pump, providing a positive flow of air into the nasal passages in order to keep the airway open. This pressure ensures that the airway does not collapse during sleep.

People with mild to moderate sleep apnea can opt for oral appliance therapy to help them breathe better at night. However, oral appliances do not fully address the problems experienced by patients suffering from severe sleep apnea. In these cases, CPAP machines still provide the best treatment option.

Consultation
If you suffer from sleep apnea, contact Dr. James Goff to discuss which treatments options are best for you. Call us today at 401-289-2490..

Don’t Let Sleep Apnea Ruin Your Life!

This entry was posted in Blog on June 15, 2015 by Dr. James C. Goff.

Sleep Apnea may not kill you during the first week, or even during the first few years, but if untreated, it can eventually ruin your life. This dangerous sleep disorder, marked by a complete blockage of the airway during sleep, can prove detrimental to your emotional, physical, and sexual health.

Uncontrollable Emotions
When you live with chronic exhaustion, you might find yourself getting overly emotional at the slightest provocation. A sentimental commercial on TV or a conversation about family finances with your spouse might send you into an over the top outburst. Research shows that people with sleep deprivation exhibited an average 60 percent increase in activity in the emotional processing area of the brain when they viewed emotionally charged images.

Poor Health
The list of chronic and acute health problems caused by untreated sleep apnea is extensive. Just a few problems sleep apnea sufferers frequently experience include:
• High blood pressure
• Heart disease
• Stroke
• Atrial fibrillation
• Type II diabetes
• Weight gain and obesity
• Acid reflux
• Depression and anxiety

People with sleep apnea are even at a higher risk of getting into car accidents. Medical experts point to three factors common to most sleep apnea patients, low blood oxygen, bodily stress, and hormonal fluctuations that increase the risk of these health problems.

Sleep Apnea Is A Romance Killer
Extremely loud snoring associated with sleep apnea can prove a major turn off to your romantic partner. Sleep apnea can actually lead to a physiological drop in sex drive and normal sexual functioning. Studies have shown that female sleep apnea patients experienced a higher rate of sexual dysfunction. In another study, researchers studying patients referred to a sleep clinic showed that just under 70 percent of male patients diagnosed with sleep apnea also had erectile dysfunction.

Consultation
If you suspect that you or your sleep partner has sleep apnea, schedule a consultation with Dr. James Goff at 401-289-2490. He has extensive training and experience providing a variety of sleep apnea treatment options.

Choosing Foods That Will Help You Get a Good Night’s Sleep

This entry was posted in Blog on May 29, 2015 by Dr. James C. Goff.

For many people, a bad night’s sleep can be contributed to what we eat near our bedtime. Some foods cause our body to react in a way that goes against sleep. However, some foods help our body react beneficially, causing us to be able to sleep better.

Vitamin B6
Melatonin is an important hormone in helping you sleep. It is a regulator in your sleep and wake cycles, and vitamin B6 can help your body make more of it, so you sleep more. Foods high in vitamin B6 include sunflower seeds, pistachios, tuna, chicken, and pork.

Tryptophan
Tryptophan is a precursor of the sleep-inducing substances serotonin and melatonin. This means tryptophan is the raw material that the brain uses to build these relaxing neurotransmitters. Making more tryptophan available, either by eating foods that contain this substance or by seeing to it that more tryptophan gets to the brain, will help to make you sleepy. There are many foods that are high in tryptophan, including tofu, cheese, oats, beans, lentils, and turkey.

Fulfilling Foods
Another important thing to consider about getting sleep is making sure your body has enough nutrients to get through the night. Although you do not want to make yourself overly full, you want to eat a good amount of foods that are slow to digest and can give you a good amount of energy all night. These include whole grains, protein rich foods, and heart healthy fats.

Still Not Sleeping?
If you try adding some of these foods to your evening routine but experience little to no benefit, you may have a serious problem that you are not aware of. Sleep apnea is a common condition in which you are unable to sleep through the night because your airway collapses, closing off your air supply. Most people with this condition are undiagnosed, and one of the most common symptoms is just daytime sleepiness. If you feel like you can not get enough sleep, this may be your problem.

To learn more about sleep apnea, please call for an appointment with Dr. James Goff today at 401-289-2490.

Sleep Apnea Sufferers: Important Tips For Living Well

This entry was posted in Blog on May 14, 2015 by Dr. James C. Goff.

Sleep apnea is potentially life threatening as well as disruptive and has far-reaching health consequences. This is why people with sleep apnea are wise to educate themselves regarding the causes of sleep apnea and the different treatment options available to them.

Smoking, obesity, lack of exercise and a narrowed airway are the most common factors affecting someone suffering from sleep apnea. Reducing your risk for sleep apnea or the severity of your sleep apnea can sometimes be as simple as a few lifestyle changes.

Smoking
During the night, the muscles that control your airway relax due to the nicotine in cigarettes that you smoked throughout the course of the day. As a result, you are more likely to have your airway obstructed while you sleep.

Healthy Diet
Eating healthy and regular exercise can help you lose weight. Weight loss has been proven to reduce the number of times breathing ceases due to sleep apnea. Taking off extra pounds will help airflow to your lungs and in turn, increase energy and stamina.

Sleep Position
Try sleeping with a lateral body position during sleep. Sleeping on your side is best to decrease the incidence of mild sleep apnea.

Alcohol Consumption
Reduce your overall alcohol consumption, especially before bedtime. While alcohol can make a person initially sleepy, especially if a large quantity is consumed before bedtime, more often than not the effect is disruptive toward sleep quality.

Sleep Hygiene
Sleep hygiene is defined as the habit and or practices that allow you to sleep well on a regular basis. Some of the sleep hygiene best practices are turning your bedroom into a sleep haven and keeping it very dark, make sure the noise level is as low as possible and keep distractions and gadgets out of sight.

Consultation
If you suspect you have sleep apnea and would like to learn more about all available treatment options, we can help. Please contact Dr. James Goff to schedule a consultation today at 401-289-2490.

Can Nasal Strips Cure Sleep Apnea?

This entry was posted in Blog on April 29, 2015 by Dr. James C. Goff.

At some point in time in our lives, we have all had a head cold that included an annoying nasal congestion. Sometimes the congestion can get so bad that snoring ensues. The majority of us take decongestants to help ease breathing, and others use nasal strips to open up airway passages. So if they can help you breathe when you are sick and lessen snoring incidence, can nasal strips help treat sleep apnea or do they just lower the amount of snoring?

What Is Sleep Apnea?
Sleep apnea, specifically obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), is characterized by frequent pauses in breathing throughout the course of the night. Frequently, the classic symptom or hallmark sign of sleep apnea is snoring. Other symptoms are daytime sleepiness, fatigue, poor concentration, memory loss and mood swings.

Can Nasal Strips Help Sleep Apnea?
Published in the American Journal of Rhinology, researchers evaluated the effect of nasal strips on changing the respiratory disturbance index (RDI) in people with sleep apnea. RDI is a tool that physicians use to classify the severity of an individual’s sleep apnea. The RDI lets the physician know how many times during the course of each hour of sleep, the person has a pause in breathing. In the twenty-six test subjects, nineteen participants had a reduction in their RDI using nasal strips. The investigators concluded that nasal strips were effective for these individuals due to the fact that nasal obstruction was the contributing factor in causing their sleep apnea.

Nevertheless, it is very important to have snoring and possible sleep apnea evaluated. When left untreated, sleep apnea places you at a higher risk of developing life-threatening illnesses such as high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, obesity, stroke and diabetes.

If you believe you have sleep apnea and would like to learn more about treatment options, we can help. Contact Dr. James Goff today at 401-289-2490.

Gender Differences in Symptoms Associated with Sleep Apnea

This entry was posted in Blog on April 15, 2015 by Dr. James C. Goff.

Obstructive sleep apnea is a sleep disorder with serious health consequences. People who suffer from OSA are at higher risk for cardiovascular problems including high blood pressure, arrhythmia, heart attack and stroke. Research indicates obstructive sleep apnea disrupts healthy glucose function and decreases insulin sensitivity, increasing risk for Type 2 diabetes.

Obstructive sleep apnea results from periodic closing of the airway, which interrupts normal breathing during sleep. These breathing pauses lead to poor quality sleep, frequent waking, decreased oxygen levels in the blood, and excessive daytime tiredness.

Men are diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea more frequently than women. There is substantial evidence that sleep apnea in women remains significantly under-diagnosed, leaving millions of women with a sleep condition that if left untreated can cause dangerous and long-term health problems.

What Are The Differences In Sleep Apnea For Men Versus Women?
There has been a wide variety of studies exploring the gender differences in sleep apnea from incidence to risk factors to response to treatment. The following are some of the findings that highlight the differences in sleep apnea for men and women:
• Men have a higher prevalence of OSA than women
• Men require a higher pressure level for their continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) treatment compared to women with a similar OSA severity
• Women who are pregnant, undergoing menopause or suffer from polycystic ovarian syndrome have an increased risk of developing sleep apnea
• When analyzing age, women have a lower incidence of sleep apnea across all age ranges
• Women with OSA show greater impairment in daytime functioning
• Women have difficulty falling asleep and staying asleep

If you suspect you might have sleep apnea, been diagnosed or would like to find out how you can avoid the high risk of developing other conditions, please contact Dr. James Goff today at 401-289-2490.

Possible Complications Of Sleep Apnea

This entry was posted in Blog on March 31, 2015 by Dr. James C. Goff.

Obstructive sleep apnea can be a silent killer. It is a disease that is often not diagnosed properly for a long time. Sleep apnea is caused by the muscles in your throat relaxing too much and closing, preventing air from entering your lungs.

There is a rarer form of sleep apnea called central sleep apnea. This is only found in approximately 5% of all sleep apnea cases. Central sleep apnea occurs when the brain does not send the proper signals to open and close your airways while you are sleeping.

Complications Of Sleep Apnea

• Cardiac Issues and High Blood Pressure – Sleep apnea patients will experience a sudden drop in blood oxygen levels when sleeping. This sudden drop can place a strain on the entire cardiovascular system. The incidence of high blood pressure is much higher in those with sleep apnea over those who do not.

• Fatigue – People with sleep apnea often experience daytime fatigue, irritability, and depression. This occurs because patients suffering from sleep apnea will have abnormal sleep rhythms due to the repeated awakening from lack of oxygen to the brain.

• Eye Issues – Research has shown that sleep apnea can cause optic nerve swelling and glaucoma. Luckily, once the sleep apnea is properly diagnosed and treated these issues usually go away.

• Possible Surgical Complications – People with sleep apnea may be more likely to experience complications following major surgery. This is because they are prone to breathing problems, especially when sedated and lying on their backs.

• Sexual Dysfunction – Men suffering from sleep apnea have a higher incidence of erectile dysfunction. The lack of oxygen puts a strain on the entire vascular system and this includes blood flow to the sex organs.

• Liver Issues – People suffering from sleep apnea are more likely to have abnormal results on liver function tests, and their liver is more likely to show signs of scarring.

If you are suspicious you have sleep apnea contact Dr. James Goff today at 401-289-2490.

Unhealthy Diet and Sleep Apnea

This entry was posted in Blog on March 8, 2015 by Dr. James C. Goff.

If you have been waking up extremely fatigued in the morning and on occasion even gasping for air in the middle of the night. You probably are beginning to wonder whether or not your unhealthy diet and the extra pounds could be affecting your sleep. The answer is yes. In fact, you might very well have obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).

What Is Obstructive Sleep Apnea?
OSA is a disorder in which a person’s airway is blocked and thus prevents proper breathing from occurring while you sleep. When the scale starts moving up toward an unhealthy weight due to poor diet, the pounds can accumulate in more areas than just the stomach or abdomen. Fat can appear around the neck and throat and in turn the upper airway can be negatively impacted. Left untreated, OSA can increase the risk for life-threatening conditions such as high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, stroke and type 2 diabetes.

In a study published in the Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine, researchers discovered a correlation between individuals with severe sleep apnea and an unhealthy diet composed mostly of saturated fat and high cholesterol foods. Although men are more frequently diagnosed with OSA, in this study, the connection between diet and severe sleep apnea was more significant in women.

At any rate, it is always important to watch what you eat no matter what the diagnosis.

Unhealthy Foods:
• Saturated fat
• High cholesterol-laden food
• Processed snacks
• Soda
• Foods with additives and preservatives

Healthy Foods:
• Whole grains
• Green-leaf vegetables
• Fruit
• Water
• Olive or grapeseed oil

The first step in getting back on track in terms of your sleep and health would be to get a proper diagnosis and learn the severity of your OSA if this is the case. But of course, it can never be a wrong choice to eat healthy.

If you would like to find out more about getting a good night of sleep or believe that you might have a more serious health issue like sleep apnea, please contact Dr. James Goff today at 401-289-2490.

Helping a Loved One with Sleep Apnea

This entry was posted in Blog on February 13, 2015 by Dr. James C. Goff.

Dealing with your spouse’s snoring can test the limits of your patience at times. That goes double if your partner is suffering from sleep apnea. Most of the time, people who suffer from sleep apnea do not know that they have it. Their loud snoring and sudden gasps as they stop and start breathing are often noticed by their spouse and other family members instead. It is a very serious condition, so you will have to give your partner all the support that he or she needs.

Discussing Sleep Apnea With A Loved One
Close to 80% of people with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) are walking around not diagnosed and untreated. Lack of awareness of sleep apnea contributes to the high percentage of individuals not knowing that this disease can be so much more than just snoring.

What Is Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA)?
Knowing what exactly OSA is key. The condition is defined as periodic episodes of breathing cessation during the course of a night’s sleep. With air not flowing freely to the lungs, there is a drop in oxygen levels in the blood. With OSA, there is a physical barrier to breathing because the airway is obstructed.

Point Out Life-Threatening Risks
It is important to get your loved one properly diagnosed because there is a statistically significant increase in risk for other life-threatening conditions when not treated, such as potentially high blood pressure, heart attack and failure, stroke and type 2 diabetes. If your spouse has high blood pressure that is not being helped by medication or uncontrolled diabetes, sleep apnea might be contributing to the severity. When you treat sleep apnea, the other conditions are helped as well.

Schedule Your Appointment for Better Sleep Health
If snoring, sleep apnea, and their related side effects are an issue, oral appliance therapy has the potential to provide you and your spouse with the quiet, peaceful sleep necessary to sleep better. Contact Dr. James Goff for a consultation today at 401-289-2490.

Treating Sleep Apnea with Oral Appliance Therapy

This entry was posted in Blog on January 30, 2015 by Dr. James C. Goff.

causing the sleep apnea is one’s soft palate blocking the airway, these devices might not be the best solution, though they still will provide at least partial benefits, which might prove to be sufficient in many cases.

Advantages Of Oral Appliance Therapy

The small device is easily portable and can be used conveniently during travel

Wearing an oral appliance is ideal for patients who are not good candidates for surgery

Oral appliance therapy is much more discreet and less cumbersome than using CPAP for sleep apnea

This treatment can be used in conjunction with other approaches, including weight loss and alternate sleep positioning

The cost of oral appliance therapy can be less expensive than other treatment options

The oral appliance is custom fit for you and your mouth, helping to remedy your unique circumstances

Everything begins, of course, with seeing a sleep professional, getting an evaluation and discussing your options. From there, the best strategy can be ascertained depending on your personal circumstances.

At Southeast Dental Sleep Therapy our focus is on finding a solution that you are comfortable with. To learn more about oral appliance therapy, contact Dr. James Goff at 401-289-2490.

The Connection Between Sleep Apnea and ADHD

This entry was posted in Blog on January 15, 2015 by Dr. James C. Goff.

Generally, children and adults with sleep disorders demonstrate different symptoms. Unlike adults, who become tired with inadequate rest, children tend to experience hyperactivity when sleep is disrupted. Children are subject to unexpected behavioral changes, which may manifest as attention deficits, hyperactivity, aggression, crying and inappropriate behavior. These results of sleep apnea may be misdiagnosed as ADHD.

ADHD and Sleep Disorders

The ADHD increase has many parents skeptical. The classification of ADHD symptoms has expanded, which has led to more diagnoses. If a child receives an improper diagnosis and is given drugs such as Ritalin or Concerta, the problems can be exacerbated as these drugs maycause insomnia. Children with ADHD are often unfocused, wired, fatigued, moody, and quick-tempered. If these feelings are severe enough and chronic, ADHD might be diagnosed. However, these are also side effects of simply not getting enough sleep.

Could children not getting enough quality sleep be partly responsible for the increased rates of ADHD? Possibly, but unfortunately, a straight answer is not that simple because ADHD can result in sleep problems, including restless leg syndrome (RLS). Until more research provides more concrete answers, parents should consider the connection between ADHD and sleep disorders if their child is consistently displaying ADHD-like behaviors.

Do not automatically accept an ADHD diagnosis without examining your child’s sleep habits and discussing your concerns with your pediatrician. If your child already has been diagnosed with ADHD but you are skeptical and think that a sleep disorder might be the true problem, do not hesitate to seek another opinion.

Next Step
If your child exhibits signs that he is having trouble concentrating, or is irritable on a regular basis, he could have symptoms of ADHD, but keep in mind it may be that he is not getting proper sleep.

To learn more about sleep disorders and treatment options available for your child, please contact Dr. James Goff today at 401-289-2490.

Increased Risk of Sleep Apnea with Smoking

This entry was posted in Blog on December 29, 2014 by Dr. James C. Goff.

Obstructive sleep apnea has a long list of risk factors, including physical factors such as carrying excess weight, having a large neck circumference, and having a narrow throat or enlarged tonsils. Certain habits and lifestyle factors can increase the risk as well. These include the use of certain medications, such as tranquilizers and sedatives and drinking alcohol. In addition, smoking significantly increases your risk of sleep apnea.

Why Does Smoking Increase The Risk For Sleep Apnea?

Anything that narrows the airway can increase the risk of obstructive sleep apnea, this is why seemingly unrelated physical features such as enlarged tonsils or adenoids are a risk factor. Cigarette smoking is a risk factor because over time, smoking can cause the airway to become narrower, leading to an increased risk of airway obstruction while sleeping. This airway narrowing occurs because cigarette smoke is an irritant, and smoking can cause the upper airway to become inflamed. Smokers are three times more likely than non-smokers to develop obstructive sleep apnea.

The Effects Of Smoking And Sleep Apnea

Researchers have found that smokers with sleep apnea have a much greater risk of cardiovascular disease and life-threatening cardiovascular events than smokers with mild sleep disorders, and non-smokers with severe sleep apnea. Essentially, smoking and sleep apnea appear to have a synergistic effect, making the combination of the two extremely dangerous. The risk is especially higher for people who smoke more than 20 cigarettes a day.

The risks for smokers with sleep apnea are high and sleep apnea is a disease that can remain undiagnosed for long periods of time. If you are smoker finding out whether you have sleep apnea, or determining your level of risk, is extremely important. Please call 401-289-2490 today to schedule your sleep apnea consultation.

How to Minimize Snoring

This entry was posted in Blog on December 15, 2014 by Dr. James C. Goff.

Snoring is very common, affecting 40% of men and 25% of women. Snoring also happens to be a nuisance, but it can also indicate a more dangerous sleep condition, sleep apnea. Despite its frequency, however, snoring is a sleep disorder that can have serious medical and social consequences. No matter what treatment you pursue for snoring or obstructive sleep apnea, these recommendations will have a positive effect on its outcome.

Sleep On Your Side
Sleeping on your side counteracts the effects of gravity and can reduce or eliminate snoring.

Obesity
If you are overweight you can reduce snoring and apnea symptoms by losing weight. Proper diet and exercise are the keys to losing and maintaining an appropriate weight.

Nasal Congestion
Reducing nasal congestion can help decrease your snoring. Nasal sprays can be prescribed by your physician. Nasal strips which increase nasal air flow are beneficial to patients.

Alcohol and Sedatives
Consumption of alcohol or sleeping pills will cause relaxation of the soft tissues and muscles in the airway and will make sleep apnea or snoring worse.

Treatment for Snoring and Sleep Apnea

CPAP Treatment
The CPAP device is the most effective nonsurgical treatment for moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea. The CPAP machine connects to a mask, which provides a constant flow of air into the mouth and nose, keeping airways open so you can breathe more easily during sleep.

Oral Appliances
Oral breathing devices are a common remedy for snoring and sleep apnea. Worn while sleeping, these custom dental devices change the position of the jaw and suppress the tongue, which enlarges the airway. This treatment is usually recommended for patients who can’t tolerate CPAP.

Snoring Surgery
A small number of patients require surgical treatment for their snoring or sleep apnea. These invasive procedures are typically reserved for patients with very severe snoring, anatomic problems or sleep apnea.

Stop snoring and start getting the rest you deserve! To learn more about snoring or sleep apnea call Dr. James Goff today at 401-289-2490.

Sleep Apnea in Children

This entry was posted in Blog on September 30, 2014 by Dr. James C. Goff.

The Cause and Symptoms of Sleep Apnea in Children

Contrary to popular belief, sleep apnea and snoring are not disorders limited to middle-aged men. In fact, nearly 10% of children may be affected by these problems. The cause of obstructive sleep apnea in children is usually due to enlarged adenoid and tonsillar tissues. However, nasal obstruction due to enlarged turbinates and jaw deformity can also be major contributors to developing OSA. OSA affects up to 10% of children. These interruptions may occur hundreds of times a night, causing your child to gasp for air and disrupting sleep. In addition to a restless night’s sleep other symptoms of OSA in children may consist of sweating during sleep, snoring, night terror, sleepwalking, bed wetting, daytime fatigue, hyperactive behavior and poor school performance due to an inability to concentrate. When a child’s breathing is obstructed during sleep, this can affect the body in many ways.

For instance, the heart rate slows, the nervous system is stimulated, blood pressure rises, the brain is aroused and sleep is disrupted. Furthermore, some studies have associated ADD/ADHD with Obstructive Sleep Apnea. Rarely, more serious conditions can result from Obstructive Sleep Apnea, such as heart problems and hypertension.

Treatment
The primary treatment for OSA in children is adenoidectomy and tonsillectomy. A sleep study to confirm the presence of OSA before surgery is recommended, but is not mandatory when there are obvious signs and symptoms of OSA. A sleep study after surgery is more important in order to determine the extent of improvement from surgery. Although the success rate of surgery is quite high, many children still exhibit residual problems. Additional treatment options such as nasal CPAP or orthodontic therapy to widen the jaw in your child may be considered.

To learn more about the diagnosis and treatment of sleep apnea in children, call us today at 401-289-2490.

What is Sleep Apnea and do I Have it?

This entry was posted in Blog on September 19, 2014 by Dr. James C. Goff.

Sleep apnea is a common sleep disorder. It’s characterized by brief interruptions of breathing during sleep. These episodes, called apneas, last 10 seconds or more and occur repeatedly throughout the night. People with sleep apnea partially awaken as they struggle to breathe, but in the morning they may not be aware of the disturbances in their sleep.

The most common type of sleep apnea is obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), caused by relaxation of the soft tissue in the back of the throat that blocks the passage of air. Central sleep apnea (CSA) is caused by irregularities in the brain’s normal signals to breathe. Some people with sleep apnea have a combination of both types.

OSA is more common in men than women and in people who are overweight or obese. Here are some symptoms to look for if you suspect you are suffering from this disorder.

Excessive Daytime Sleepiness
Restless Sleep
Loud Snoring (With Periods of Silence Followed By Gasps)
Falling Asleep During the Day
Morning Headaches
Trouble Concentrating
Irritability
Forgetfulness
Mood or Behavior Changes
Weight Gain
Increased Heart Rate
Anxiety
Depression

Most people with sleep apnea have obstructive apnea “OSA”, in which the person stops breathing during sleep due to airway blockage. Breathing is resumed within a few seconds, but periods of as long as sixty seconds are not uncommon in serious cases.

OSA is more common amongst people who snore, who are obese, who consume alcohol or who have anatomical abnormalities of the jaw or soft palate. However, atypical cases do occur and the condition should not be ruled out unilaterally merely because the patient does not fit the profile.

The prognosis is that sleep apnea left untreated can be life threatening. Excessive daytime sleepiness can cause people to fall asleep at inappropriate times, such as while driving. Sleep apnea appears to put individuals at risk for a stroke. Successful treatment can also reduce the risk of heart and blood pressure problems.

To find out if you have Sleep Apnea, call Dr. Goff at 401-289-2490 today!

Coping With Sleep Bruxism

This entry was posted in Blog on August 29, 2014 by Dr. James C. Goff.

Bruxism is a sleep disorder characterized by the grinding or clenching of teeth. Some people do it unconsciously even when they are awake. Stress usually has something to do with it, but the origins of the disorder vary greatly. The effects of bruxism are worse during sleep when the body’s protective mechanisms are turned off. Without proper treatment, the condition may cause serious damage to the teeth and surrounding tissues, as well as trigger headaches and jaw pain. Bruxism can be a real nuisance. “It’s much like having a large football player standing on the tooth,” said Dr. Noshir Mehta, Chairman of General Dentistry at Tufts University School of Dental Medicine and Director of its Craniofacial Pain Center.

Under normal circumstances, a person’s teeth make contact for about 20 minutes a day with only 20 to 40 pounds of pressure to be able to chew. During sleep bruxism, however, the upper and lower teeth come into direct contact in as much as 40 minutes per hour, and with a force of about 250 pounds on the first molar. Sleep bruxism is not a disease, but it is the third most common sleep disorder after sleep talking and snoring. This condition is more prevalent in children, who often outgrow it.

In the 1960’s, Dr. Gilles Lavigne, a Professor of Dentistry and Medicine at the University of Montreal, and President of the Canadian Sleep Society explained that bruxism was thought to be the body’s response to “malocclusion”, a problem that arises when the upper and lower teeth don’t fit together well. Due to lack of clinical evidence, the theory was not accepted in the medical and dental community. Later on, stress was cited to be the cause of the sleep disorder. Proponents of this theory failed to explain why not everyone with sleep bruxism was stressed and not everyone with stress ground their teeth. Some recent research studies also reveal the connection of bruxism to neurochemicals like dopamine, but its significance is still being questioned. Dr. Lavigne’s latest studies have identified a pattern of activation in the autonomic nervous system that correlates strongly with bruxism. He emphasized that bruxism is not an indicator of neurological disease. No matter what science eventually discovers as the cause of bruxism, current medical literature point out to stress, smoking, alcohol and caffeine as the main “triggers” of the disorder. Relaxation techniques like yoga, meditation, or even acupuncture may help promote overall health and wellness. Doctors, however, say that these alternative healing methods will not cure or relieve bruxism.

For the management of bruxism, dentists suggest that patients wear a nightguard. The nightguard is a small plastic device that covers some or all of the teeth to protect them against damage, but does not really stop the grinding or clenching itself. Customized nightguards made by a dentist last longer, fit better and are generally designed to evenly distribute the forces of grinding to reduce jaw pain.

For more information on bruxism call Dr. James C. Goff at (401) 289-2490 for an appointment to discuss your sleep disorder.

Oral appliances for the management of Sleep Apnea

This entry was posted in Blog on August 15, 2014 by Dr. James C. Goff.

Treatment Options
There are several approaches to treating sleep apnea. Maintaining good habits such as exercising, eating a well-balanced diet to promote a healthy weight and having good sleep are essential. The most common treatment involves a continuous positive air pressure machine also known as a CPAP machine. Another option is surgery. Surgery involves removing tissues from the tongue, uvula and the soft palate. More extensive surgery may reposition the anatomic structures of your facial bones and your oral cavity. Less invasive options involve intraoral dental appliances.
Oral Appliances
There are many advantages to wearing dental appliances in order to manage sleep apnea. These include the fact that it only takes about a week to get used to wearing them. They are light, small and easy to carry. They are also a non-invasive option for managing sleep apnea. These appliances reposition the tongue or the lower jaw in a way that it stabilizes the lower jaw and increases the tongue’s muscle tone making it much easier to breath.
There are a few different types of appliances for sleep apnea and your dentist will evaluate you to determine which appliance is more appropriate for your case. They vary is design and mode of action. Some appliances work by retaining the tongue in a forward position. It uses a suction bulb to hold the tongue in place and keep it from falling backward into the airway where it can obstruct your breathing. Other appliances work by repositioning the lower jaw itself. They bring the lower jaw forward and by doing so the tongue is positioned more forward which keeps it from collapsing back into the airway. They make the muscles of the tongue more stable and also keep the mouth in a closed position.
To learn more about Sleep Apnea and oral appliances, call us at 401-289-2490. We look forward to speaking with you..

Why Choosing Oral Appliances over CPAP?

This entry was posted in Blog on July 29, 2014 by Dr. James C. Goff.

According to the American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine, approximately 18 million Americans are affected by sleep apnea and many others still have undiagnosed problems. Sleep Apnea can be really dangerous during sleep, as it frequently stops regular breathing. The diagnosis of sleep apnea and degree of each patient’s condition are quantified and confirmed after sleep studies and research of the patient’s medical history.

While the gold standard for testing sleep apnea is performed at sleep study laboratories using PSG or Polysomnography, recently many people are opting towards more cost effective home sleep testing.

Several doctors recommend Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) therapy, on the other hand, several dentists encourages the handling of this disease with OAT.

Now, what is OAT?

OAT is a medical therapy which uses non-invasive and comfortable devices that you wear inside your mouth. It stands for ‘Oral Appliance Therapy’. These dental appliances are made out of flexible and soft plastics and look much like clear retainers.

They help in gently pulling the lower jawline forward, while the patient goes into deep sleep. Even during the REM (Rapid Eye Movement) state, when we remain mostly unconscious to stimuli, this device keeps our tracheal airway open without the use of uncomfortable air masks and CPAP medical ventilator pumps.

Just as a little experiment, try making a snoring sound right now and then, in the middle of it, move your jaws forward; you will notice that the sound stops almost instantly.

To find out if your sleep apnea can be solved with an oral device, you should go for a consultation and examination with a dental sleep apnea specialist, who can recommend it to you.

If Oral Appliance Therapy is the right thing for you, impressions of your teeth are taken either with a mold or by a digital scan. Next, your custom made oral appliance is created by technical lab personnel to fit your dental structure.

The dentist will then show you how to wear this device properly and will give you home care instructions.

For more information or to discuss anything in the blog post or our website call us at 401-289-2490. We look forward to speaking with you..

How Can a Dentist Treat Your Obstructive Sleep Apnea?

This entry was posted in Blog on July 21, 2014 by Dr. James C. Goff.

In the popular fairy tale “Sleeping Beauty”, there was a wicked witch who managed to put an entire kingdom to sleep, and it took 100 years before the Magic Prince arrived and woke them up from their never ending sleep. Though this story is just a fiction and luckily for us, we usually wake up after we sleep, it’s really interesting to know what happens to us when we go to sleep.

Medically speaking, sleep is based on a circadian (‘circa’-around and ‘diem’-day) rhythm, regulating every living creature’s life. Sleep can be considered more as a suspended activity, a kind of unconsciousness or rather, a decreased ability to react to stimuli and it is essential for leading a healthy life.

While sleeping, many people can experience snoring, and although this can sometimes be viewed as funny, Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) is really dangerous if it goes beyond certain limits.

People suffering from OSA can often stop breathing completely about 50 times in one hour and even when this is not fatal, it can be destructive for an individual’s overall health.

Impotency, irregular heartbeat, high blood pressure, heart disease (inducing heart attacks and strokes) are secondary disorders that follow undiagnosed Obstructive Sleep Apnea.

Many people might not know it, but a dentist trained in sleep disorders can help you with your snoring and OSA.

Dentists can prescribe custom made medical oral appliances that look like retainers or sports mouthpieces and help to treat snoring and other sleep disorders.

People suffering from these types of disorders, are often dissatisfied with their CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) therapy, carried out with the help of a personal home medical pulmonary ventilator machine. While dealing with prolonged OSA problems, many people start looking for alternative therapies to solve their sleeping and snoring disorders, and turn on to dental solutions in the hopes of finding something more comfortable and less invasive.

A study of overnight sleep is often required to determine the degree of the apnea related problem, providing a baseline measure for any further effective treatment. Most of the medical insurance companies in the United States cover the initial consultation fees for these kinds of studies. Sometimes, depending on your insurance company, a referral from a dentist for sleep evaluation is needed.

Although CPAP therapy remains the standard for moderate to severe sleep apnea cases, patients with OSA who don’t respond to CPAP, can always re-evaluate their options by visiting a dentist trained in sleep therapy.

Oral appliances come in different brands and styles. From one size-fits-all bite guards, to custom mouth pieces like the ‘Thornton Adjustable Positioner’ (TAP). All dental apnea appliances are designed to prevent upper airway collapsibility and help in opening the airway for an undisturbed and healthy sleep.

For more information or to discuss anything in the blog post or our website call us at 401-289-2490. We look forward to speaking with you..

Kids’ Sleep Patterns Affected by Media Presence in the Bedroom

This entry was posted in Blog on October 10, 2014 by Dr. James C. Goff.

Children’s sleep disruption is worse with increased time spent watching TV or playing on the computer, finds research in Biomed Central’s open access journal BMC Public Health. The greater the e-media use was at the start of the study, the shorter the sleep duration and the later the bedtime was 18 months later. The academics suggest that where children are struggling to sleep, or are tired, their media habits should be taken into consideration.

The amount of sleep children get has a direct bearing on their performance in school and their mental and physical health. Snap shot studies suggest that the more kids use electronic media, the less sleep they get, and that their sleep is more likely to be disturbed. But how much does watching TV or playing on the computer affect sleep patterns as children grow up?

To answer this question, researchers from Folkhälsan Research Center, Finland, compared computer use and TV viewing with sleep patterns in 10-11 year olds and then reassessed them 18 months later. Children with a TV or computer in their bedroom, compared with the frequency of usage, demonstrated a greater delay when going to bed on school days and the weekend, which resulted in less sleep. However, girls may be catching up at the weekends as they tended to sleep in more as they got older.

When the researchers looked at boys and girls separately, they found that there were other gender differences—boys with a computer or TV in their bedroom went to bed later than the girls and had a larger increase in bed time.

Teija Nuutinen, who led this study, commented, “Children need extra sleep as they go through puberty but our study finds that TV and computer use affects the sleep of children. This is especially true during the week and may be impacting their school work as well as their development. Media viewing habits should be considered for kids who are tired and struggling to concentrate, or who have behavior problems caused by lack of sleep.”.

Gestational Diabetes Tied to 7-fold Increase in Sleep Apnea Risk

This entry was posted in Blog on October 10, 2013 by Dr. James C. Goff.

Women diagnosed with gestational diabetes are nearly seven times more likely to have obstructive sleep apnea than other pregnant women, according to a recent study accepted for publication in The Endocrine Society’s Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism (JCEM).

Gestational diabetes causes glucose levels in the bloodstream to rise above normal levels. This form of diabetes occurs during pregnancy, typically in the second trimester. Between four and eight of every 100 pregnant women in the United States develop gestational diabetes. The new study found a link between gestational diabetes and sleep apnea.

“It is common for pregnant women to experience sleep disruptions, but the risk of developing obstructive sleep apnea increases substantially in women who have gestational diabetes,” said Sirimon Reutrakul, MD, who conducted the research at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago. “Nearly 75 percent of the participants in our study who had gestational diabetes also suffered from obstructive sleep apnea.”

In a series of observational case control studies, researchers monitored 45 women for sleep apnea and other sleep disruptions. The research examined sleep health in 15 pregnant women who had gestational diabetes, 15 pregnant women who did not have the condition, and 15 women who were not pregnant and did not have diabetes.

The study found a strong association between obstructive sleep apnea and gestational diabetes in this group of mostly overweight or obese women. Pregnant women who did not have gestational diabetes were able to get an additional hour of sleep and had less fragmented sleep than women who had gestational diabetes. Past research has shown lost sleep, fragmented sleep, and shorter periods spent in deep sleep—all symptoms of sleep apnea—are likely to raise the risk a person will develop diabetes.

“Based on these findings, women who have gestational diabetes should be considered for evaluation for obstructive sleep apnea, especially if other risk factors such as hypertension or obesity are present, and women already diagnosed with sleep apnea should be monitored for signs of gestational diabetes during pregnancy,” Reutrakul said..

Skin Cancer Connected to Sleep Apnea?

This entry was posted in Blog on October 10, 2013 by Dr. James C. Goff.

Spanish researchers are again examining all facets of sleep apnea with a new study concluding that the severity of sleep apnea can independently predict the aggressiveness of malignant skin melanoma.

The research presented at the European Respiratory Society (ERS) Annual Congress adds new evidence to a number of studies that have found a link between cancer and the sleep disorder. According to a report on the ERS Web site, previous studies have looked at a link between sleep apnea and incidence rates from cancer.

Some experimental studies in mice have also shown that reduced oxygen levels in the blood, which is common in sleep apnea, enhanced tumor growth. The Spanish study if the first to look at the link between a specific type of cancer (skin melanoma) and sleep apnea.

Researchers studied 56 patients diagnosed with malignant skin melanomas. They measured the aggressiveness of the cancer along with the presence and severity of sleep apnea—60.7% of the patients had sleep apnea and 14.3% had severe sleep apnea.

The results found that the melanoma was more aggressive as the severity of sleep apnea increased. This was the case for all three measurements for sleep apnea severity. The severity measurements were also linked with other factors of aggressiveness, including the growth rate or the depth of invasion of the tumor.

“This is the first study in a human sample to show that sleep apnoea can worsen the outcomes of melanoma,” said lead author Francisco Campos-Rodriguez, MD, from the Hospital de Valme in Seville, Spain. “The findings are from a preliminary small sample, but if the results are confirmed in larger studies, this would have important clinical implications, particularly as sleep apnea can be easily treated and this could open up new therapeutic possibilities for people with both conditions. We have just begun a bigger prospective trial enrolling 450 patients with cutaneous melanoma to analyze this link further.”.

“Sufficient Sleep” Reduces Risk of Cardiovascular Disease

This entry was posted in Blog on October 10, 2013 by Dr. James C. Goff.

In a follow-up to the MORGEN study, new research published in the European Journal of Preventive Cardiology shows a good night’s sleep can increase the benefit of exercise, healthful diet, moderate alcohol consumption, and non-smoking in their protection against cardiovascular disease (CVD).

Results showed that the combination of these four lifestyle habits was associated with a 57% lower risk of cardiovascular disease (fatal and non-fatal) and a 67% lower risk of fatal events. When 7 or more hours of sleep (dubbed “sufficient sleep”) each night is factored into these habits, the overall protective benefit increased, resulting in a 65% lower risk of composite CVD and a 83% lower risk of fatal events.

“If all participants adhered to all five healthy lifestyle factors, 36% of composite CVD and 57% of fatal CVD could theoretically be prevented or postponed,” the authors report. “The public health impact of sufficient sleep duration, in addition to the traditional healthy lifestyle factors, could be substantial.”

The Monitoring Project on Risk Factors for Chronic Diseases (MORGEN) is a prospective cohort study in the Netherlands from which 6,672 men and 7,967 women aged 20 to 65 years and free of CVD at baseline were followed up for a mean time of 12 years. Details of physical activity, diet, alcohol consumption, smoking, and sleep duration were recorded between 1993 and 1997, and the subjects followed up through a cross-link to national hospital and mortality registers.

Results showed that adherence to each of the four healthful lifestyle habits alone reduced the risk of CVD. However, sufficient sleep duration alone also reduced the risk of composite CVD by about 22% (HR 0.78) and of fatal CVD by about 43% (HR 0.57) when compared with those having insufficient sleep. These benefits were even greater when all five lifestyle habits were observed, resulting in a 65% lower risk of composite CVD and an 83% lower risk of fatal CVD.

“The evidence is certainly growing that sleep should be added to our list of CVD risk factors, “ said Dr Monique Verschuren from the National Institute for Public Health and the Environment in the Netherlands, the study’s principal investigator..

Sleep Solutions: Why A Good Night’s Sleep Is Important

This entry was posted in Blog on September 6, 2013 by Dr. James C. Goff.

It is a fact that a person can live longer without food than they can without sleep. Sleeping is such an important part of your life and so many people simply do not get enough of it. Millions of people all over the world and from all walks of life are sleep-deprived. You may find yourself exhausted during the day or reaching for cups of coffee just to stay awake at work or behind the wheel. Getting a good night of rest is just as essential as exercise and a proper diet.

The Benefits of a Good Night of Sleep

There are hundreds of benefits to getting a good night’s rest. One thing to remember about sleep is that it is the time in which your body heals itself. Your body literally repairs and rejuvenates itself while you are sleeping. There is more to sleep-deprivation than just being really tired the next morning. People who deal with sleep-deprivation over time can begin to experience severe physical and mental problems.

One of the major benefits of getting a good night of rest is that you will be able to function better during the day. If you go to school or work, you will find that your workload goes a lot more smoothly if you get a good night’s rest. You will also find that you are able to concentrate a lot more and generally do more throughout the day. People who get enough rest also tend to look younger and have a radiant glow about them.

History of Sleeping and Nighttime Problems

Sleeping problems are definitely not new since people have been experiencing them for hundreds and even thousands of years. Sleep apnea is common among people who are either overweight or obese. With sleep apnea, the person may have trouble breathing during the night and the body naturally wakes itself up to regain its breath. People with this disorder need to find the right sleep solutions for themselves so that they can finally get enough rest at night in bed.

Insomnia is another thing that millions of people deal with each day. This problem often occurs when someone has anxiety or depression. A person with insomnia may have an actual anxiety disorder or they could just be anxious about something happening to them, like being laid off from a job or having a new baby. Insomnia is definitely rough on the person who has it because it causes sleep-deprivation and the symptoms associated with it.

Sleep Solutions to Getting a Good Night’s Rest

There are many things you can do for better sleeping at night. Many people find that doing something as simple as changing their pillows and mattress helps them to rest easier. Others find that they need medication and pills before they go to bed at night. It is important for you to consult your doctor before you do anything medical concerning your nighttime routine.

You should also call for more information on different sleep solutions that are available to you. There is more to life than just drinking one cup of coffee after another just to get through the day. The important thing is to get to the root of your problem so that you can rest easier each and every night..

Sleep Apnea Solutions

This entry was posted in Blog on September 6, 2013 by Dr. James C. Goff.

Sleep apnea is a condition that causes the back of a person’s airway to collapse while he or she sleeps. As a result, the person ends up snoring and gasping for air throughout the night. The following day, the person is often tired and lacks energy. Dealing with sleep apnea is challenging for most patients; however, solutions are available.

For those who have mild sleep apnea, lifestyle changes often fix the problem. For instance, the patient may need to avoid alcohol or medication that causes drowsiness. These substances make it harder for the throat to stay open during sleep. If a patient is overweight, then he or she may need to lose the extra pounds to stop the sleep apnea symptoms.

Another method that people can try is to sleep on their side instead of their back. When people sleep on their side, it helps keep their throat open. Using nasal passages each night can also help.

Breathing devices are other sleep apnea solutions. The most common type of breathing device is known as the CPAP machine. This machine blows air into a person’s throat as he or she sleeps. It is used to treat moderate to severe sleep apnea. When patients are ready for bed, they put a mask over their mouth and nose to help them breathe throughout the night. Since this mask helps keep the airways open, patients have an easier time breathing and can get a more restful night of sleep.

Surgery is another solution for those who suffer from severe sleep apnea. Doctors perform surgery to widen a patient’s breathing passages. Some patients have extra tissue that needs to be removed from their mouth or throat. When it comes to treating children, doctors often use surgery to remove their tonsils. Although the problem usually goes away on its own, some tonsils must be removed to prevent them from blocking the patient’s airways.

A final treatment approach is with a medical device known as Provent. This FDA-approved prescription has only been on the market for a few years; therefore, not all insurance providers cover it. Provent strips stick to both nostrils and are nude-colored. These one-way resistor valves are disposable and can help a patient breathe at night. Although the CPAP machine has proven results, it is bulky and difficult to carry around. Many people find Provent strips beneficial because they are simple to carry around when traveling..

Sleep Apnes

This entry was posted in Blog on September 6, 2013 by Dr. James C. Goff.

Sleep apnea is a disorder that affects normal sleep behavior. People who suffer from this condition stop breathing sporadically while they are sleeping. Each time the sufferer stops breathing, the event is called an apnea and it can last anywhere from a few seconds to a few minutes. The average person with sleep apnea has five to thirty apneas per hour. To be officially diagnosed with sleep apnea, the patient usually must undergo a polysomnogram, which is more commonly referred to as a sleep study.

Sleep apnea can manifest in three different forms. They are: obstructive, central and complex/mixed. Central sleep apnea means that there is something wrong with the individual’s respiratory system that is causing it to not function efficiently.

Obstructive sleep apnea means that there is something physically obstructing the flow of air, despite a fully functioning respiratory system. Complex/mixed sleep apnea is a combination of obstructive and central sleep apnea. All forms of sleep apnea are characterized by excessive snoring.

Most sleep apnea sufferers are not aware of their apneas and do not remember having them when they awaken. Many individuals with this condition may not realize they have it unless people who sleep near the individual notice that the individual stops breathing or snores excessively. Doctors may be able to use the presence of certain symptoms to determine that a patient may be suffering from sleep apnea. Patients who constantly complain of fatigue, daytime sleepiness, and vision problems may be sent in for a sleep study to determine whether or not they suffer from sleep apnea.

The most common form of sleep apnea is obstructive sleep apnea. It usually occurs when the soft tissue in the throat collapses and obstructs the passage of air. Many obese individuals suffer from this type of sleep apnea because of the low muscle tone and excess tissue that surrounds or narrows their airway. Men and the elderly are also two groups that are more susceptible to this type of sleep apnea. Age, frequent smoking and increased body weight are all major factors that play a role in the development of obstructive sleep apnea. It has also been found that people who have diabetes or are at risk for developing diabetes are about three times more likely to have sleep apnea.

Some treatments for sleep apnea include losing weight, not smoking, elevating the upper body, and wearing a CPAP, or continuous positive airway pressure device. In severe cases, surgery is used to remove and/or tighten the tissues that are blocking the airway. Having a patient sleep on their side instead of their back can also help with all three forms of sleep apnea. Some prescription medications can be used to prevent oxygen deprivation in patients who suffer from central sleep apnea, but because of potentially dangerous side effects, they are not commonly prescribed..

Sleep Apnes Treatment

This entry was posted in Blog on September 6, 2013 by Dr. James C. Goff.

Sleep apnea is a serious condition that can even become life threatening if it is not treated. Over 18 million Americans suffer from sleep apnea symptoms, during which toe person stops breathing for 10 seconds or longer while he or she is asleep. Depending on how severe the issue is, a person can have as many as 60 or as few as 10 issues each night. The problem is often treated with a number of healthcare providers including sleep specialists, general physicians, and even surgeons. One of the more surprising professionals who help with the problem is the dentist.

If you think you might suffer from a sleep apnea problem one of the first people you should consult is your dentist. It is best to go in early because sleep apnea can lead to high blood pressure, irregular heart beats, strokes, or heart attacks.

There are three different types of sleep apnea and it is sometimes hard for a person to detect because he or she is asleep. If your partner hears you snore loudly and then stop breathing followed by deep breaths and even choking noises, you might have sleep apnea. If you are tired during the day, can’t sleep at night, or often wake with headaches, you might have it as well.

Dentists can help in a number of ways including with the initial diagnosis. Dentists can also help reposition the tongue and lower jaw, which causes sleep apnea symptoms in some patients. Other treatment recommendations are things like avoiding sleeping on ones back, quitting a smoking habit, losing weight or a number of other options.

Some patients even get a continuous positive airway pressure device that fits over the nose like a small mask. The pressure in the mask keeps the airway open on a more consistent level. Other patients even have to have surgery in order to open their airway.

Because of the issues sleep apnea can lead to in the future, it is best to have the issue taken care of sooner rather than later. It might be surprising that dentists play a large role in discovering and fixing the problem, but it is the truth and the best first line of defense.

Treating Sleep Disorders with Dental Devices

This entry was posted in Blog on September 6, 2013 by Dr. James C. Goff.

If you have recently been diagnosed with one of the major sleep disorders, you may be unaware of the latest treatment options. Sleep apnea can disrupt the body’s normal nighttime rhythms. You may even find yourself suffering from snoring, headaches, TMJ (temporomandibular) pain, or bruxism, which is the excessive grinding of teeth while asleep. Because many of these issues are intimately tied to the mouth itself, dentists should be able to help. With a reputable dental professional attending to your disorder, you can eliminate your discomfort and once again pass the night hours in the gentle arms of sleep.

Sleep apnea itself, which involves an obstruction in the respiratory passageways during slumber, is often accompanied by excessive snoring. Snoring is especially frustrating for significant others who are trying to get a good night’s rest themselves. Dentists use special oral appliances to calibrate the mouth so that the obstruction is no longer present.

There are two major devices that are used. Mandibular advancement devices are mouthguards that force the lower jaw into a more open position. Tongue-retaining devices, on the other hand, use splints to prevent the tongue from falling toward the back of the mouth. Dentists and orthodontists, of course, will need to ensure that the devices fit the mouth properly.

The benefits for longtime apnea sufferers are generally quite profound. If you have a habit of sleeping on your back or your stomach, then your new oral device will likely lead to some considerable improvement. Likewise, if you are prone to grinding your teeth during the night, a mouthguard will prevent this from occurring. In most cases, the headaches that have been associated with the bruxism will also stop. When you can begin the day without any residual pain, you will also be happier and more productive at work or school.

Reputable dentists will likely be capable of finding a solution to your sleep disorder. During the preliminary consultation, the dentist will ask you for a full list of symptoms. Once the dental professional has an idea of which particular sleep disorder is present, a comprehensive treatment plan can be devised. With the help of a sophisticated oral device, your passageways can be cleared from obstruction. For help with sleep apnea and other similar maladies, contact your dentist today for further assistance..

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