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snoring and sleep apnea solutions from a Little Rock dentist

July 18, 2014

Did You Know Your Dentist Can Provide Solutions for Snoring and Sleep Apnea?

Those who suffer from sleep apnea may find themselves at an increased risk for high blood pressure, stroke, fatigue, and liver problems. To find snoring and sleep apnea solutions, schedule a consultation with your dentist.

Sleep apnea is a potentially serious condition that occurs when patients stop breathing periodically while they sleep. Often, the condition this will cause loud snoring and bring the person out of their regular sleep rhythm, disrupting their rest, even if they do not fully wake up. For many people, sleep apnea goes undetected, but finding snoring and sleep apnea solutions from a Little Rock dentist can potentially be lifesaving. For those looking for a successful preventative solution, there are several different options available that your dentist may suggest.

Treatment Options for Sleep Apnea

The goal of all sleep apnea treatments is to improve airflow for the patient and minimize the risk of the airways collapsing, which causes breathing disruption. This can sometimes be accomplished by using firm pillows or losing weight and improving lifestyle choices. In other cases, popular treatment options such as a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine will be required.

A dentist can also provide several treatment options, allowing patients to get relief without having to worry about surgery or bulky breathing machines. This not only creates increased comfort and convenience, but also improves personal health.

Mandibular Advancement Devices

Mandibular advancement devices utilize hinges to help bring the lower jaw forward while you sleep. This position makes it easier for the airway to remain open by controlling the tongue and the soft palate. The instrument itself will be custom designed to fit the patient, almost like a mouth guard. While it is possible to find devices in stores, studies have shown them to be significantly less effective than professionally designed devices that have been made by a dentist.

Tongue Retaining Devices

A tongue retaining device works to hold the tongue in place to allow for maximum airflow. Typically, the mandibular advancement device is used more frequently as people find the tongue retaining device to be less comfortable and more difficult to sleep with. In some cases, however, they may work better or be preferred depending on the individual patient case. Although it might take patients longer to adjust to the device, they do learn to sleep comfortably and experience increased ease of breathing.

Considerations When Using Dental Devices for Sleep Apnea

While receiving snoring and sleep apnea solutions from a Little Rock dentist can be highly effective for mild to moderate cases of sleep apnea, there are still a few side effects that patients should be aware of. Primarily, there is the risk of soreness and saliva build up from the device. Some patients also feel nauseous and might even experience permanent changes in their jaw line placement if the device isn’t constructed correctly. For this reason, it is important to always work with a dentist who is experienced with helping patients treat sleep apnea with these devices.

Sleep apnea is a condition that affects millions of people, many of which do not seek help. Snoring is not only frustrating, but in truth, the condition can be potentially dangerous to your health. Patients interested in learning more about how to find snoring and sleep apnea solutions from a Little Rock dentist should contact Arkansas Family Dental or call 501-683-8886 to schedule an appointment.

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Filed Under: Dental Services, Preventative Dental Care

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