The Effects of Sleep Apnea and Snoring– CPAP Alternatives

Sleep apnea is a common disorder impacting approximately 17% of women and 22% of men. The prevalence is even greater among seniors and those who meet the criteria for obesity. If sleep apnea is left untreated, serious health complications or even death may occur, yet patients often choose not to use their CPAP machines due to discomfort. Thankfully, Frisco Dental Implant Center offers alternatives to treat sleep apnea and snoring.

Snoring

Snoring is disruptive to your sleep partner, but it shouldn’t be dismissed as just an annoying habit. That’s because snoring is often a sign of sleep apnea. Snoring caused by sleep apnea is frequently loud and irregular. Your snores may be punctuated with silence as you stop breathing, and then, you may awaken with a loud snore or gasp.

If you snore, make an appointment with your physician to determine the cause. Once you have your diagnosis, we can help treat your snoring or sleep apnea with an oral appliance.

Symptoms of Sleep Apnea

It’s important to recognize the symptoms of sleep apnea so that you can seek appropriate treatment. Talk to your physician if you have any of the following symptoms:

• Waking suddenly in the night, feeling like you’re choking or gasping for air
• Feeling sleepy during the day
• Being irritable
• Having difficulty concentrating or remembering things
• Moving a lot while you sleep
• Having a dry mouth or irritated throat
• Sweating during the night
• Frequent headaches
• Sexual dysfunction

Once your sleep apnea has been diagnosed, we can work with your physician to help you manage it.

Effects of Not Treating Sleep Apnea

CPAP machines are so uncomfortable that by some estimates, as few as 17% of patients regularly use their CPAP machines. That’s a problem because when left untreated, sleep apnea can lead to complications like:

• Cardiovascular disease
• Stroke
• Depression
• Type 2 diabetes
• Dementia
• Anxiety
• Increased risk of cancer
• Cognitive problems

Fortunately, oral appliances are an effective alternative if you cannot tolerate a CPAP machine.

Benefits of Using an Oral Appliance

There are multiple benefits to using an oral appliance to treat your sleep apnea, the most obvious of which is a reduction in your symptoms. Using an oral appliance will help you breathe better, snore less, and awaken feeling more refreshed and alert.

Additionally, because an oral appliance doesn’t require electricity to work, you’ll have an easier time traveling with it compared to a CPAP machine, and it won’t be disruptive to your sleep partner. Oral appliances are also easy to clean and care for, and most patients find them to be far more comfortable than a CPAP machine.

What to Expect

If you are interested in treating your sleep apnea or snoring with an oral appliance, we’ll first need to set up an appointment to examine your mouth and make sure you’re a good candidate for oral appliance therapy. Then, we’ll discuss your options and custom-fit an oral appliance that meets your needs. Remember, you should never purchase an oral appliance that is not customized to your mouth. Such appliances may not be effective and could even put you at risk of harm.

You’ll need to wear your oral appliance every night. It works by moving your jaw forward and stabilizing your tongue and other oral structures so that your airway remains open while you sleep. It’s important to continue to follow up with us so we can make adjustments as necessary and check for any changes to your mouth and teeth over time.

Interested in treating your sleep apnea or snoring with dental alternatives to CPAP? Contact us today to schedule an evaluation.