Sleep apnea is a respiratory condition affecting the sleep quality of an estimated 40 million Americans. While snoring and poor sleep quality are two of the more salient symptoms of sleep apnea, the breathing interruption component is of even greater concern. This can gradually start to tax the heart muscle and certain blood vessels throughout the body. In time, it can increase your chances of suffering heart disease and stroke.
It’s important to have your physician accurately diagnose the severity of your sleep apnea. If you suffer from severe sleep apnea, they might prescribe the use of a positive air pressure of CPAP device, when you sleep.
If you have been diagnosed with mild to moderate sleep apnea, you might find significant symptom relief from a snore guard prescribed at Dr. Robert Seaman’s Lenexa, Kansas orthodontic clinic. There are several different designs our dental professionals might recommend, depending on the specifics of your mouth.
A tongue stabilizing device doesn’t need to attach to your teeth. This makes it an ideal choice for denture wearers with sleep apnea. The snore guard helps to hold your tongue and soft palate in position to mitigate snoring and improve air flow.
A mandibular advance device can come in a variety of different designs. Most of these snore guards attach to the teeth and hinge together in some fashion. Each is designed to hold your mouth and soft palate in the ideal position to allow easy passage of air, thus reducing snoring problems.
Boil and bite snore guards are made from a special thermoplastic material that softens when heated. You simply soak the unit in simmering water. After a few minutes, it will be soft and pliable. You then take it out, allow a moment to cool and bite down on it firmly. The thermoplastic material will conform to the unique shape of your teeth and bite pattern.
If you live in the Lenexa, Kansas area and you’re suffering with mild to moderate sleep apnea, you should call 913-631-2626 to explore your snore guard options at Dr. Robert Seaman’s clinic.