Can a General Dentist Help My Sleep Apnea?

Wondering if a general dentist can help you live with your sleep apnea diagnosis? Many people do not realize that dentists can create oral appliances for their patients when they have been diagnosed with sleeping problems like snoring and sleep apnea. These oral appliances work by preventing the airway from being blocked.

ABOUT DENTAL SLEEP TREATMENT

Finding out if a general dentist has knowledge about dental sleep treatment is the first thing you need to do, as this would mean that they have undergone oral appliance therapy training. These oral appliances are specifically designed to treat breathing disorders and do so by keeping one’s airway open when sleeping at night. This dental practice area focuses on treating patients who have been diagnosed with a sleep disorder that prevents them from getting the sleep they need for good overall health.

CAN A GENERAL DENTIST HELP PATIENTS WHO HAVE SLEEP APNEA?

Yes. This means that some dentists have chosen to help manage and treat any of their patients who have been diagnosed with a sleeping disorder, like sleep apnea. According to the American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine, dental sleep medicine is an area of dental practice that focuses on the use of oral appliance therapy to treat sleep-disordered breathing, including snoring and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).

ABOUT ORAL APPLIANCE THERAPY

Oral appliance therapy requires sleep apnea patients to wear a special device in their mouth while sleeping. It is similar to a mouth guard that is worn to protect the teeth when playing sports or an orthodontic retainer. A general dentist can make a custom oral appliance for a patient, as a custom fit is important when it comes to expecting successful results. Oral appliances help keep the jaw and/or tongue in a forward position, which in turn helps keep the airway more open, allowing for easier breathing.

ABOUT CPAP MACHINES

CPAP stands for continuous positive airway pressure and is a machine that is an alternative treatment option for those who suffer from sleep apnea breathing problems. The machine works by forcing air through a tube that is connected to the mouth and thus helps keep the airway open when sleeping at night. This means those who need this type of sleep apnea treatment will need to wear a mask over their face while sleeping, which can take some time to getting used to wearing.

ARE YOU IN NEED OF TREATMENT?

Would you like to make a general dentist appointment today? When you do, you will be thoroughly evaluated so you can understand what your treatment options are going to be. If you have been diagnosed with sleep apnea, then you know that it can interfere with the overall quality of your life. This means you need to find a treatment option that will work for you, so you can start getting a good night’s sleep and feel better when performing your everyday activities.