Many people snore from time to time, and it is no serious health concern. But for a significant segment of the population, this can be a sign of something much more harmful. And this can affect not only the quality of your sleep but your overall wellbeing, as well.
Sleep apnea refers to momentary pauses in breath, and it is a serious health concern. While you may have lived years for this condition, there is no need to force yourself to struggle without help. Today, your Baxter, MN dentist explains how mouthguards, worn at night, can help free your airway and give you the rest you so desperately deserve!
There’s A Way Out
Many Americans struggle with the quality of their sleep. Constant noise and distraction from our screens can mean more interruptions throughout the night. But you may be causing this yourself through obstructive sleep apnea. With this incredibly common condition, patients block their own airway. This happens when the muscles of the throat relax during REM sleep.
These pauses (or apneas) might only seem like an unpleasant nuisance. But in reality, they can lead to serious health conditions involving your circulatory and nervous system. After all, you’re stopping oxygen from reaching your brain! The complications that can come from obstructive sleep apnea include an increase in blood pressure. Other cardivascular concerns include an abnormal heart rhythm, or an increase in risk of heart disease or strokes.
A Guard May Help
Since this activity mostly occurs through obstruction, keeping the airway clear can mean all the difference in a full night’s sleep. In this way, our custom-fitted mouthguards can help free up your throat. By moving the jaw slightly forward, these guards give your mouth and throat more room for its natural function.
This process may help to avoid the use of a bulky and loud CPAP machine at night. And while some people may find the idea of a mouthguard to be cumbersome, they are nothing compared to the size and invasiveness of this approach. So our custom guards may save you time and money!
This is also a non-surgical approach, which is a positive for many patients. If we can help alleviate a situation without having to fundamentally change our bodies, it can be a safer and easier way. But the first step is to make an appointment for a consultation with your dentist! An examination will be required to ensure that there are no external factors leading to your apnea.
Your partner will thank you. They might be receiving their first full night’s sleep in years, as well! Call today for more information and we can’t wait to see you.
Visit Our Office in Baxter, MN!
Dr. Clinton L. Roberts and the friendly staff at Greenhaven Family Dental are happy to help you maintain a healthy and beautiful smile with a comprehensive approach to general dentistry. With years of training and experience in dental sleep medicine, Dr. Roberts is also adept at helping patients treat snoring and sleep apnea so they can rest more easily (and quietly). To learn more, or to schedule an appointment, call our office in Baxter, MN, today at (218) 454-0523. We proudly welcome patients from Brainerd, Little Falls, Staples, Crosby-Ironton-Deerwood, and all surrounding communities.