Is Sleep Apnea Ruining Your Life?

We hope that your summer is off to a fantastic start and that you are taking full advantage of all the extra daylight to enjoy the great outdoors, cookout with friends, and maximize your fun every day of this all-too-brief season. Of course, you may not be having much fun right now (or any time) if you suffer from a dangerous condition called sleep apnea. Even if you have been able to use a CPAP machine to get some relief, that can be limiting. Think about it: could you really take it camping or on a romantic vacation? But don’t worry, today we want to talk about an alternative treatment for sleep apnea that is available at our Plano, TX dentist’s office! Keep reading and then be sure to follow up and schedule your consultation with Dr. Barfield.

The Inconvenient Truth About CPAP Machines

CPAP machines have their place. These devices help many people who have struggled with sleep apnea to lead a somewhat normal life. But they are anything but convenient. The machine works by aggressively pushing its artificial breath into your airways. And so it is a bit obtrusive by nature. Plus, it needs to be plugged in for it to work at all. We won’t get into all the drawbacks we have heard about. But let’s just say that there is a better way to get a good night’s sleep!

Dental Solutions Exist

Your dentist can change your life for the better by building you an oral appliance. These mouthpieces are a fairly new solution when it comes to treating obstructive sleep apnea (the most common form of this condition). But they do work! The American Academy of Sleep Medicine supports the use of oral appliances as a primary treatment option for people who have mild or moderate sleep apnea and for people with severe sleep apnea who can’t use a CPAP machine.

Here’s the deal: unlike an ordinary mouthguard, our oral appliances are worn overnight. These appliances work by shifting the position of your jaw. This subtle shift keeps your airway open so you can continue breathing after you fall asleep. This means you don’t have to wear a mask. You don’t have to fool with the tubes that feed air into your mask, and you don’t have to find a plug for your treatment to work. You may need a little time to adjust to sleeping with a mouthpiece, but once you become comfortable with it, you will notice an improvement in the quality of your sleep. And you won’t bother your loved ones with your snoring, or put yourself at risk for any one of the many unhealthy issues that have been correlated with sleep apnea!

A Treatment That Works

Let’s be clear, if you have a CPAP and it’s working well for you, then that’s awesome. You should continue using it, if you are satisfied with the results and the way it suits your lifestyle. However, if you are having trouble using your CPAP machine consistently or you would like a more portable treatment for your sleep apnea, come to 1st In Smiles. Call 972-380-8105 to make an appointment to get your oral appliance, and to get some relief!