About Sleep Apnea
Your quality of sleep affects your overall health. Sleeping disorders can affect your energy level and put you at risk for health problems such as high blood pressure, obesity and heart disease. It is also linked to grinding and acid reflux. If you snore or grind your teeth, you might have sleep apnea.
Sleep apnea occurs when the throat muscles relax, the airway closes, and breathing is restricted. When the body senses a drop in oxygen, it releases hormones like adrenaline and cortisol to arouse the body and regain better breathing. These stimulating hormones completely interfere with a good night’s sleep and put severe stress on the heart.
Treating Sleep Apnea with Dental Appliances
The two most effective ways to treat sleep apnea are with CPAP or a dental appliance. CPAP is a mask that applies positive pressure to push air past the closed airway and into the lungs. A dental appliance prevents the lower jaw from falling back and closing the airway. It is a custom-made device that is adjusted for comfort, and these appliances may be more comfortable and conducive to your sleep environment than CPAP.
Bay Hills Family Dentistry offers custom dental appliances to help patients improve their sleep. Call today for a free consultation to discuss sleep and treatment with Dr. Gens.