How Can a Dental Device Help Me Breathe Better With Obstructive Sleep Apnea?

Sleep apnea causes you to stop breathing repeatedly during sleep. Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), the most common type, happens when your relaxed throat muscles block your airway. 

About 39 million adults in the United States have OSA, making it the most common sleep-related breathing disorder. If you’re among them, a dental device may be just what you need to sleep and breathe easier.

Our expert team at Swinney Dental in Tyler, Texas, creates custom sleep apnea devices to improve your health without the hassle or noise of a machine. In this blog post, we take a closer look at the devices.

Obstructive sleep apnea symptoms

For most people, loud snoring is a hallmark of obstructive sleep apnea. The rumbling sounds usually start shortly after falling asleep and may wake you up. 

Breathing pauses caused by OSA can also cause:

• Choking, gasping, or snorting sounds when breathing pauses
• Daytime exhaustion
• Difficulty concentrating during the day
• Dry mouth and throat soreness upon waking
• Increased blood pressure
• Morning headaches
• Mood changes, such as increased irritability
• Reduced libido

The intensity of your symptoms helps determine whether you have mild, moderate, or severe OSA. 

A sleep study, performed at home or in a clinic, called polysomnography (PSG), may be used to confirm that your symptoms stem from sleep apnea. 

How dental devices treat OSA

Obstructive sleep apnea treatment typically involves a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine, surgery, or a dental mouthpiece. 

While CPAP machines are the most common OSA treatment, a dental device is an excellent choice for mild to moderate symptoms. Dental devices are also useful for people who don’t tolerate CPAP treatment well. 

At Swinney Dental, we offer several custom-fit appliances to relieve OSA symptoms, including:

• Respire® appliances
• Silent Nite® snore guards
• SomnoMed® devices

These devices alter the position of your jaw or teeth to keep your airway open throughout the night. Adjustable and based on molds of your mouth, they fit comfortably over your teeth.

What to expect from your OSA dental device 

Oral appliance therapy for sleep apnea can reduce or eliminate snoring and bolster your daytime energy and concentration. These devices are easy to travel with and don’t take up space in your bedroom.

Like all sleep apnea treatments, dental devices may cause side effects, such as mouth dryness, gum irritation, and jaw pain. Thankfully, these issues are usually temporary until you get used to your new device. Our team can adjust your treatment plan as needed.

To discover if a sleep apnea device is your path to restful sleep, call Swinney Dental today. You can also set an appointment using our convenient online booking feature.