What's a dentist doing with Sleep?
About 50 million to 70 million Americans have ongoing sleep disorders, including about 18 million with sleep apnea.
Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) happens when tissue in the back of the throat collapses and blocks the airway while you're sleeping, cutting the amount of oxygen delivered throughout the body.
Our Remedy?
a custom oral appliance worn at night
cuts down on snoring and the tissue collapse that causes OSA
They're like night guards and retainers with a top and a bottom
Obstructive Sleep Apnea explained
What is Obstructive Sleep Apnea?
Imagine settling in for a peaceful night’s sleep, but your airway decides to play a game of hide and seek. That’s obstructive sleep apnea for you! It happens when your upper airway gets partially or fully blocked while you’re snoozing. Your diaphragm and chest muscles have to work overtime to pull air into your lungs, and sometimes, your breath gets super shallow or stops altogether for a bit. When you finally catch a breath, it might come with a dramatic gasp, snort, or body jerk. You might not even realize it's happening, even though your sleep might not be as restful as you think.
This condition can lower the oxygen levels in your body and mess with your heart’s rhythm.
Symptoms of Obstructive Sleep Apnea
Spotting obstructive sleep apnea can be like finding clues to a mystery. Look out for these telltale signs:
Daytime Sleepiness or Fatigue: Feeling unusually tired during the day.
Dry Mouth or Sore Throat: Waking up with a parched mouth or sore throat.
Morning Headaches: Starting your day with a headache.
Trouble Concentrating: Finding it hard to focus, feeling forgetful, depressed, or irritable.
Night Sweats: Waking up sweaty.
Restless Sleep: Tossing and turning through the night.
Sexual Problems: Issues like a low sex drive.
Snoring: Especially loud and disruptive snoring.
Sudden Waking: Waking up suddenly feeling like you're gasping or choking.
Difficulty Waking Up: Struggling to get out of bed in the morning.
Frequent Nighttime Bathroom Trips: Waking up often to pee.
High Blood Pressure: Elevated blood pressure readings.
GERD: Experiencing gastroesophageal reflux disease.
If you share a bed, your partner might notice your sleep apnea before you do.
Symptoms in Children
Kids can show different signs, and they might not be as obvious. Watch for:
Bed-Wetting: Frequent accidents during sleep.
Choking or Drooling: Noticeable during the night.
Night Sweats: Excessive sweating while sleeping.
Inward Ribcage Movements: Ribcage moving inward while breathing out.
Learning and Behavior Issues: Struggling with school or acting out.
Daytime Sluggishness: Appearing lazy or sleepy during the day.
Snoring and Teeth Grinding: Noisy breathing or grinding teeth while sleeping.
Restless Sleep: Moving a lot during the night.
Breathing Pauses: Breathing that stops and starts.
Odd Sleeping Positions: Sleeping in unusual positions, like on hands and knees or with the neck bent back.
These symptoms can be caused by other medical conditions too, so it’s best to talk to your doctor to rule out other possibilities.
What Causes Obstructive Sleep Apnea?
Obstructive sleep apnea usually strikes when the muscles controlling your airway get too relaxed, causing your throat to narrow. This can wake you up momentarily to reopen your airway, often without you even knowing it, and it might happen dozens of times each hour.
Other factors like obesity, enlarged tonsils, and health issues such as endocrine disorders or heart failure can also lead to obstructive sleep apnea.
Remember, if you’re experiencing any of these symptoms, a friendly chat with your doctor can help you find the best way to a restful night’s sleep.
The Appliance
When it comes to tackling obstructive sleep apnea, CPAP is the superhero you need. CPAP, which stands for Continuous Positive Airway Pressure, works by gently blowing air with constant pressure down your throat at night, ensuring your airways stay open while you snooze. The CPAP machine is your trusty sidekick, composed of three main parts:
The Mask: This fits snugly over your nose, or your nose and mouth, and is secured with straps to stay in place while you sleep.
The Motor: This is the heart of the machine, blowing air through the system.
The Cannula: This large tube connects the motor to the mask, delivering the necessary airflow.
CPAP machines are designed to be small, lightweight, and pretty quiet, making them easy to incorporate into your nightly routine. Plus, if you love to travel, you can easily take your CPAP machine with you on your adventures.
Using CPAP comes with a host of benefits:
Keeps Your Airways Open: Ensures smooth breathing throughout the night.
Eases Snoring: Reduces or eliminates snoring, making you (and your partner) sleep better.
Improves Sleep Quality: Helps you achieve more restful and rejuvenating sleep.
Relieves Daytime Sleepiness: Say goodbye to feeling drowsy during the day.
Lowers Blood Pressure: Contributes to better overall cardiovascular health.
At KA Dental, we’re here to support you in your journey to better sleep and improved health. Whether you’re in West Palm Beach or any of our other locations across Palm Beach County, our team is ready to help you find the best solution for your obstructive sleep apnea.
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Easy Same Day, Dental Implants in Palm Springs, FL
KA Dental can replace an entire arch of failing or missing teeth in a single visit thanks to the talented technicians in our in-house dental lab. The steps to achieving this goal starts with determining if you’re a candidate for the procedure and scheduling the treatments you’ll need for you to be ready.
On the same day, our team of dental professionals will place the necessary implants, while our team of lab technicians finalize the restorations. When the restorations are complete, the appliance will be permanently placed in your mouth, significantly reducing the amount of time it will take for your mouth to recover.
