Sleep Apnea Treatment near San Marcos, CA
Top-Rated Dental Care & Breathing Solutions
At McElroy Smiles By Design, we offer oral appliance therapy for effective snoring and sleep apnea treatment near San Marcos, CA. If you or your loved one suffers from sleep apnea but is unable to tolerate a CPAP machine, this may be the perfect solution!
Learn more about snoring and sleep apnea treatment below.
Why Snoring Is Dangerous
Snoring impacts 30% of individuals in the United States, and second-hand snoring (being kept awake or having your rest disturbed by a partner that snores heavily) impacts about 73% percent of people. Because snoring is so common, we often brush it off as an unavoidable part of life.
Unfortunately, snoring can be a sign of serious health problems. Sleep studies have shown that snoring is harmful to your health, as it limits the amount of oxygen provided to your brain and body during sleep. Lack of oxygen throughout the night can lead to physical health issues, behavioral problems, and also prevents your body from getting restful, restorative sleep.
Research also shows that bedmates of nighttime rumblers receive as little restorative sleep as the snorer. Given that snorers can produce nearly 80 decibels of sound, a bed partner’s snores are noisier than trying to get a good night’s sleep next to a hand-held vacuum cleaner.
According to recent research by the Mayo Clinic and Queen’s University in Kingston, Ontario, people who sleep with a chronic snorer suffer from higher levels of systemic pain, have higher levels of fatigue, are more likely to fall asleep at the wheel, and sometimes wind up losing some of their hearing in certain frequency ranges. One Mayo Clinic study revealed that spouses of rumbling snorers woke up nearly every three minutes, nearly matching the snorer’s rate of 27 times an hour being aroused from sleep.
Sleep Apnea
Sleep apnea is a serious sleeping disorder that causes you to stop breathing temporarily during the night, commonly because of the way that your throat muscles relax while you’re asleep. You may not even be aware that you suffer from sleep apnea since it occurs while you’re sleeping. If you find that during the night you snore heavily, wake up with a choking sensation, or experience heartburn, then you may indeed be dealing with sleep apnea. Another common symptom of sleep apnea is if you wake after a full night’s sleep but still feel unrefreshed.
The sleep apnea cycle looks like this:
- You fall asleep and your mouth relaxes.
- Your airway collapses, causing a period of time with no oxygen.
- Without regaining consciousness, your body awakens with a gasp for air.
- Your body relaxes back into sleep, only to start the cycle again.
Throughout the night, this cycle may repeat itself fifty or more times per hour. The resulting lack of oxygen can cause myriad health problems for you over time. People suffering from untreated sleep apnea have been injured in car crashes and other accidents because of their chronic exhaustion. Others experience a significant decline in their health, as the chronic oxygen deprivation caused by sleep apnea has been shown to increase blood pressure and raise the chances of a heart attack.
Oral Appliance Therapy To Reduce Snoring & Relieve Apnea Symptoms
A solution available to those who snore loudly or perhaps have sleep apnea is an oral appliance. At our office, we offer an oral therapy appliance that is similar to an athletic mouth guard. When you wear it throughout sleep, the appliance inhibits the collapse of the tongue and soft tissues at the back of the throat. This keeps the airway open during sleep, so your body receives enough oxygen and you sleep more soundly.
Differences Between CPAP & Oral Appliances
The American Academy of Sleep Medicine now considers dental appliances a first line treatment for snoring and mild to moderate sleep apnea. They also recommend oral appliance therapy for patients with severe sleep apnea who cannot tolerate CPAP or who are traveling where there is no access to power.
Dental Sleep Appliances have been scientifically proven to be effective. Over 95% of patients are satisfied with the level of improvement with their snoring when diagnosed and treated correctly.
Learn More About Snoring & Sleep Apnea Treatment near San Marcos, CA!
If you or a loved one are suffering from snoring or sleep apnea, call 760-230-6638. To schedule an appointment with our experienced dentist for sleep apnea treatment, click here. With McElroy Smiles By Design, you can easily restore your full, restful night’s sleep!