Every year, more and more Americans are diagnosed with sleep apnea. Many more adults have symptoms that could contribute to them developing sleep apnea in the future. Many people turn to a sleep clinic to diagnose this condition and turn to their doctor for treatment. A nutritionist can help you lose weight and reduce the symptoms you suffer from, but many people overlook the benefits of enlisting their doctor’s help in treatment. If you are ready to see how your dentist can help treat your sleep apnea, contact your dentist office Rochester MN.
Understanding Sleep Apnea
Sleep apnea is a common condition that causes the sufferer to stop breathing during the various cycles of sleep. There are two primary types, obstructive and central. Your doctor can fill you in more on how each form could affect you.
The Impact of Sleep Apnea on Health
Sleep apnea is a chronic health condition that can impact both physical and mental health. Adults with sleep apnea are at 1.8 times higher risk of developing high blood pressure. They are also 2.2 times more likely to develop conditions like heart disease, depression, bipolar disorder, and mania. Their risk of developing diabetes is 2.5 time higher if they suffer from chronic sleep apnea as well.
People who suffer from sleep apnea are also more likely to suffer from chronic fatigue, which puts them at greater risk of developing injuries and an unhealthy lifestyle.
How a Dentist Can Help Treat Sleep Apnea
A dentist can be a valuable addition to your sleep apnea treatment, especially if you are diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea. Your dentist may recommend an oral appliance that reduces symptoms if a patient is within the normal recommended weight parameters.
Many patients see relief from their symptoms from using a device called a mandibular advancement device. A mandibular advancement device looks a lot like a mouthguard. This device pushes the lower jaw forward, preventing the airway from collapsing, which is the reason patients with sleep apnea stop breathing through the night.
A dentist can evaluate a patient’s teeth and their temporomandibular joints to determine if they are a good candidate for this in mouth device to reduce sleep apnea symptoms.
Some patients are a better candidate for a tongue-retaining device, which is appropriate for a larger number of patients. Since the tongue is attached to the lower portion of the jaw, this device can place pressure on the tongue, preventing it from blocking the airway, and preventing the tissues in the throat from collapsing as well.
Patients who seek advice from their dentist to treat sleep apnea will need to work closely with their dentist to ensure that the recommended appliance is working right for them. By allowing your dentist to monitor how the dental device works, and how effective it is will prevent you from running into complications. Since our mouths are always changing, it is important to pay attention to how the device fits, as it may need to be replaced at some point.
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