When we lay down to sleep, the muscles and soft tissue at the back of the throat relax. This natural movement isn’t a problem for most people, but for the 22 million Americans with sleep
apnea, it blocks the airway completely making it impossible to breathe.
This deprives the body of oxygen and forces you to wake up and breathe, which can result in a loud, snorting sound. These episodes can occur hundreds of times a night, which robs you of restful sleep and threatens your overall well-being.
Some symptoms of sleep apnea are:
- Feeling tired when you wake up
- Fatigue during the day
- Difficulty concentrating
- Drowsy driving accidents
Fortunately, if you have mild to moderate sleep apnea in Metairie, your Oak Family Dentist has a solution. After consulting with your primary care doctor and having you complete an at-home sleep study, we may find that a simple FDA-approved oral device is all that’s needed to keep your airway open and allow you to breathe freely.
Oral Appliance Therapy for Sleep Apnea
We customize the device to move your lower jaw slightly forward when you sleep, which prevents the airway from closing. This little appliance has helped millions who can’t tolerate a CPAP mask get the safe, restful sleep they need.
If you suspect you have sleep apnea, please call us to arrange a consultation so we can help you!