Did you know that about 90% of people with sleep apnea haven’t been diagnosed? If you have sleep apnea, one of the only ways to officially diagnose it is to have a sleep study. Luckily, there are a few things can do to help you deal with sleep apnea—and our dentist can help.
As you probably know, if you have sleep apnea, you’ll probably wake up several times a night. In fact, you could find yourself waking up several hundred times in a single night because something—typically your tongue or muscles on the roof of your mouth—are blocking your airway. As you can probably guess, this can lead to a number of complications. For example, you may have a hard time focusing during the day.
Fortunately, there are many different things you can do to cope with sleep apnea. For instance, you could find that a CPAP machine is the best option for you. However, our dentist can offer you a few alternative options, such as a custom oral appliance. These appliances are typically quieter, easier to put on, easier to travel with, more comfortable, and easier to clean than a CPAP machine.
Often, these appliances are custom mouth guards. While these mouthguards are designed to fit comfortably, they will also hold your mouth in a position that keeps your airway open while you sleep. In other words, this mouthguard prevents the obstructions that tend to wake you up and causes your snoring.
Do you worry that you have sleep apnea? Would you like to learn more about how our team can help you recognize this issue? Do you have more questions about a custom mouthguard? If so, please don’t hesitate to contact Michael P. Gaudio, D.M.D. at 203-265-3355 to set up an appointment. We look forward to helping you get a good night’s sleep!