If you have excessive daytime sleepiness, or if you have been told that you snore loudly or stop breathing periodically during the night, you may have a condition called obstructive sleep apnea.
Obstructive sleep apnea doesn’t just cause drowsiness. Your sleep is interrupted when the brain’s oxygen level lowers due to a blocked airway. But low blood oxygen levels can cause other serious medical problems including heart failure, high blood pressure and stroke. And sleep apnea is directly related to Type II Diabetes.
If you have any of the symptoms of sleep apnea, please see your medical doctor who can order an overnight sleep study if necessary. This study will give your doctor the right information to make an accurate diagnosis.
Treating Sleep Apnea
The most common treatment for serious sleep apnea is CPAP therapy, which uses a machine to increase the air pressure in the throat. Patients wear a mask and the CPAP maintains the air flow while sleeping.
However, some patients cannot tolerate CPAP. If you have a problem with it, or if your sleep apnea is mild, an oral appliance can help keep your airway open during sleep.
At Candlewood Dental Care, we use Mandibular Advancement Devices (MADs) for those with sleep apnea who cannot tolerate the CPAP machine. MADs advance or move the lower jaw forward to prevent the closing of your airway. You are able to keep breathing and receiving healthful oxygen throughout the night.
We are trained in treating obstructive sleep apnea with MAD oral appliances. Please come see us if you have been diagnosed with sleep apnea, or if you suffer from its symptoms. We can help you feel rested every day!
Let Us Know If You Have Questions on Any Aspect of Oral Health Care
Dr. Lorraine Burio of Candlewood Dental Care has been treating and educating patients for over twenty-five years. Our office serves the New Fairfield, New Milford, Danbury, and Sherman areas of CT and Pawling, Patterson and Putnam Lake of New York. You can call us at 203-746-1200 or make an appointment here.