Sleep apnea is very common and affects more than twelve million Americans, according to the National Institutes of Health. The word “apnea” literally means “without breath” and may be caused by facial, mouth or dental issues.
There are three types of apnea and in all three, people with untreated sleep apnea stop breathing repeatedly during their sleep, sometimes hundreds of times during the night and often for a minute or longer.
1) Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA): most common and usually caused when the soft tissue in the rear of the throat collapses and closes during sleep.central, and mixed
2) Central Sleep Apnea: not caused by a blocked airway, but rather is the brain’s failure to signal the muscles to breathe
3) Mixed Apnea: a combination of the Obstructive Sleep Apnea and Central Sleep Apnea
What Are Some Sleep Apnea Risk Factors?
Risk factors include being male, overweight, and over the age of forty, but sleep apnea can strike anyone at any age, even children. Yet still because of the lack of awareness by the public and health care professionals, the vast majority remain undiagnosed and therefore untreated, despite the fact that this serious disorder can have significant consequences.
Untreated, sleep apnea can cause high blood pressure and othis cardiovascular disease, memory problems, weight gain, impotency, and headaches. Moreover, untreated sleep apnea may be responsible for job impairment and motor vehicle crashes. Fortunately, sleep apnea can be diagnosed and treated. Several treatment options exist, and research into additional options continues.
Sleep Apnea Treatment
A mouthpiece, sometimes called an oral appliance, may help some people who have mild sleep apnea. Upon examination, our dentists may recommend a mouthpiece if you snore loudly, but don’t have sleep apnea.
If it is determined you need a mouthpiece, our dentists can make a custom-fit plastic mouthpiece for treating sleep apnea. The mouthpiece will adjust your lower jaw and your tongue to help keep your airways open while you sleep.
If you are suffering from loss of or interrupted sleep, you may have sleep apnea and our dental professional can help treat this disorder. For more information or to schedule an appointment, please feel free to contact our Mooresville dentist office 704-663-1800.
