They all snore, right? Wrong.
Sitcom after sitcom shows a couple in bed with the husband sawing logs and the wife laying there wide-eyed and so incredibly annoyed she could smother him with her pillow. It’s actually been shown to us so much that many people think it’s just a normal part of marriage to live through the agonizing snores of your bedmate. But did you know, snoring is not normal?! In fact, in many cases it’s a sign of sleep disordered breathing known as obstructive sleep apnea.
Obstructive Sleep Apnea, or OSA
In obstructive sleep apnea, the muscles in the back of the throat collapse and impede the flow of air when breathing. It’s found in all age groups, even children, but becomes more likely with age and weight. It’s way more common than you would think and affects 3 million people in the United States a year or more.
CPAP is Not the Only Way
When you think of Sleep Apnea, most people see a loud noisy machine attached to a sleeping man making sounds like Darth Vader deep breathing. And they aren’t wrong! CPAP machines are the most popular course of treatment or symptom management for patients suffering from sleep apnea. But thanks to advances in dental medicine, CPAP is no longer the only way.
Oral Appliances Are an Option
Custom-made oral appliances, made by your dental specialist, can help pull the lower jaw forward during sleep, leaving the throat wide open to breathe easy all through the night. The best part is it’s comfortable. There’s nothing to plug-in or turn on, just a mouthpiece similar to a sports mouthguard worn during sleep.
Let Us Get You Fitted For a Tube-Free Noise-Free Hassle-Free Oral Appliance
If you or someone you love snores a lot, encourage them to seek a professional opinion on whether they could be suffering undiagnosed with sleep apnea. There’s a simple, effective way to silence those snores thanks to dental science. If you’re a sleep apnea sufferer and are ready to retire your CPAP, give us a call today at (858) 538-8300.
