Obstructive sleep apnea is a common sleep disorder more common to males as they tend to have larger necks than females. It temporarily blocks the inflow of air when tissues in the upper airways come too close to each other while one is asleep. It can develop at any age to anyone. But those who are overweight, smokers, or 40 years old are at risk.
A change in lifestyle can help patients with this sleep disorder. Quitting from vices, making efforts to lose weight, and sleeping on one side are helpful. There are also specific treatments for mild-to-moderate cases and one is the use of oral appliances for sleep apnea.
Oral appliances are dental devices for mild cases of obstructive sleep apnea. These are custom-made mouthpieces that help the lower jaw and tongue maintain their proper position during sleep. Trained dental professionals such as the dentists in Oyster Point Dentistry in Newport News, VA Virginia are the only ones allowed to carry out obstructive sleep apnea treatments.
Oral appliances are federally approved alternatives opted by those patients who do not prefer continuous positive airway pressure to treat their obstructive sleep apnea. These comfortable and portable plastic devices are worn to keep the airway stay open as you sleep, providing adequate air intake and promoting normal sleep. Oral appliance therapy is reversible and non-invasive, which brings it more advantage compared to other dental treatments.
For more details on general and cosmetic dentistry, read more at Oyster Point Dentistry.
