How Oral Appliances Can Help Relieve Sleep Apnea

Sleep apnea is a condition that is experienced by nearly 1 billion people worldwide, and many countries report a prevalence of Sleep Apnea in over 50% of their population, according to The Lancet - Respiratory Medicine. Dr. Paul Rocke of Rocke Orthodontics located in Littleton, CO, helps with sleep apnea.

What is Sleep Apnea?

Sleep apnea is a broad term used to describe different issues that you may be experiencing during your sleep. Sleep apnea can be mild, such as snoring consistently and loudly. These symptoms can range to more severe if it interrupts your breathing several times throughout the night, causing you to wake up gasping for breath.

The most common form of sleep apnea is Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA). What happens during Obstructive Sleep Apnea is that your airways become fully or partially blocked when you lie down on your back. This happens because the structures in the back of your throat become flaccid and collapse. This forces the respiratory muscles of your chest and diaphragm to have to work much harder to breathe. This can lead to some other symptoms involving:

• Fatigue and sleepiness during the day
• Restlessness with the sleep that you are able to get
• Dry mouth or sore throat upon waking
• Night sweats
• Headaches

How to Find Treatments for Sleep Apnea with Oral Appliances

Talk to your dental and orthodontic professionals about your sleeping issues. They are capable of treating sleep disruptions with the use of an oral appliance device in Littleton, CO. You may not need to start off using a CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure) machine every night. There are dental appliances that you may be surprised to find that can fix this issue.

• One option is a device similar to a mouthguard that will be molded for your mouth. This will move the lower jaw slightly forward, allowing for the prevention of the tongue blocking the throat. This device will keep the airway open.
• Alternatively, a tongue-retraining device may be suggested to be worn at night. This will prevent the tongue from blocking the airway.

An oral appliance can help if you are experiencing any of the issues described above. They are all lightweight, compact, and easily transportable. Discuss these options with Dr. Rocke at Rocke Orthodontics in Littleton, CO, to treat your sleep apnea with oral appliances. You might wake up the next feeling more rested and have increased energy throughout the day! Call (303) 730-7002 to book an appointment.