A sound night’s sleep is essential for your heart, brain, and mood. But millions of Americans suffer from disturbed sleep caused by sleep apnea and chronic snoring. Though many reach for conventional medical remedies, the results are never as promising as sleep dentistry provides. It’s a safe and painless solution for peaceful nights.

Sleep dentistry treats conditions like obstructive sleep apnea, snoring, and breathing disorders at night with oral appliances. For others, these present a less cumbersome and more pleasant option than using continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machines.

What Is Sleep Dentistry?

Sleep dentistry focuses on enhancing sleep quality through treatment of oral and airway abnormalities that disrupt nocturnal breathing. This type of care is perfect for patients who have mild to moderate obstructive sleep apnea or chronic snoring.

A sleep dentist assesses the alignment of the mouth, throat, and jaw to prescribe a custom-fitting oral appliance that maintains optimal airflow. The oral appliances prevent closure of the airway by mildly moving the tongue or lower jaw while sleeping.

The Real Health Risks of Poor Sleep

Disrupted sleep is not merely bothersome. An estimated more than 25 million Americans experience sleep apnea, says the American Academy of Sleep Medicine. Left unchecked, sleep apnea has the potential to enhance the likelihood of:

• Increased blood pressure
• Cardiovascular disease
• Stroke
• Type 2 diabetes
• Fatigue and decreased focus during the day

Sleep disruption may also disrupt interpersonal relationships and cause severe mood swings or depression. This is why diagnosing and treating early on are imperative.

Benefits of Sleep Dentistry

Sleep dentistry options like oral appliances offer advantages such as:

1. Ease and Comfort

Oral appliances are small, portable, and simple to wear. They don’t have tubes or electrical parts like CPAP machines, so they’re perfect for travelers or those who prefer simple solutions.

2. Better Sleep Quality

These appliances help maintain the open airway. It eliminates the constant wakening throughout the night caused by low level of oxygen in blood. Patients commonly praise this dentistry for improving their quality of sleep.

3. Decreased Snoring

Snoring isn’t only pesky—it disrupts your spouse’s rest and may be an indicator of an underlying condition. Oral devices fix the leading cause behind sleep apnea, resulting in fewer noisy nights.

4. Treatment Without Surgery

Sleep dentistry negates the need for surgery and presents a simple answer without masks and air pressure systems’ discomfort.

5. Care Tailored to You

Every oral appliance is custom-fitted to your mouth. This provides comfort and efficiency with long-term care.

How to Know If Sleep Dentistry Is Right for You

If you feel fatigued in the morning even after sleeping for 6-8 hours straight, it’s time to consult a licensed sleep dentist. The dentist can also prescribe an at-home sleep test to determine you’ve sleep apnea. The test is easy to use and you can conduct it from the comfort of your home.

If you’re ready to wake up refreshed and live better, talk to your local sleep dentist in Meadow Vista about a personalized sleep solution today.