Let Your Dentist Help With Sleep Apnea

Monday 23rd May 2016

Many people's first stop when dealing with a health issue is their doctor, but with snoring you might be surprised to find that it is actually your dentist that can provide the right solution. Although not directly related to your teeth, most of the solutions are based around techniques that dentists use regularly in safeguarding your health.

Talk to Your Dentist

If you know you snore, simply talking to your dentist can help connect the dots on the less obvious symptoms, putting your fatigue, dry mouth, or even morning headaches into context. In some cases, your dentist may recommend you to a sleep specialist to completely assess your situation, but before you know it, you will be back at your dentist for further treatment.

Many dentists these days have specialized training in the treatment of sleep apnea and are able to diagnose you straight away. They can then use their experience to help you adjust your lifestyle to start solving the problem. If more work is required, they can then advise you on the right kind of customized aid to address both your breathing and snoring issues.

Dental Devices for Sleep Apnea

For a long time there was no alternative to CPAP machines, which are cumbersome and not especially attractive, but these days, your dentist can often provide a much more discrete and silent alternative.

There are now a variety of dental appliances that fit into your mouth, not unlike athletic mouth guards that simply help keep your tongue and jaw in position so as not to obstruct your airway while sleeping. This allows you to breathe properly and will not require a loud machine or facemask during the night, to eradicate or significantly reduce your snoring.

Taking the first step is always the hardest, but with your dentist well capable of handling the situation, your snoring can be a thing of the past sooner than you think.