According to the NIH, between 50 and 70 million Americans have a sleep disorder, and sleep apnea is a common one. If you wake up frequently in the night due to obstructed breathing, if your partner complains about your snoring, or if you are tired even after a full night’s sleep, you may have sleep apnea.
Complications of Sleep Apnea and Snoring
Sufferers of sleep apnea are at risk of medical complications, particularly high blood pressure, which can increase the risk of a stroke or heart attack. Sleep apnea can also cause:
- Chronic fatigue
- Depression
- Irritability
- Poor memory
- Dry mouth
- Headache
If you have sleep apnea, you could stop breathing many times in the night without realizing it. To diagnose sleep apnea, your doctor may ask you to have a sleep study so you can be monitored for one night. You may be prescribed a CPAP. However, many patients with mild to moderate sleep apnea prefer a simpler solution: a custom-made dental appliance you wear at night.
These images illustrate the effects of a custom dental device for sleep apnea:
Your tongue relaxes and takes up more space as you sleep. Each time you breathe, air vibrates through the muscle, causing snoring.
Sometimes, the tongue and the tissues in the throat can block your breathing completely while you sleep. Each time that happens, you will wake for a fraction of a second. The cycle repeats throughout the night, leaving you tired the next day.
An oral device gently moves your lower jaw into a forward position, opening your airway and allowing for a restful night’s sleep.
Treating Sleep Apnea with Silent Nite
Dr. Kaur prefers Silent Nite for sleep apnea. This adjustable mandibular advancement device is custom-made for your mouth. To create it, Dr.
Kaur will take impressions of your teeth and send them to a specialty lab. Technicians there will use the impressions to manufacture a soft, clear silicone device that fits perfectly over your teeth. Each Silent Nite device is unique to the wearer.
If you have been diagnosed with sleep apnea or your sleep is interrupted by snoring, call (480) 283-0733 to make an appointment with Dr. Kaur and find out if Silent Nite is right for you. You can also contact us through this form, and we will call you back.