Sleep Soundly With Sleep Apnea Treatment

It’s So Much More Than Just A Snore

Sleep apnea is one of the most common sleep disorders in America. Millions of adults have it, and many people have never been diagnosed. In the short term, sleep apnea interrupts sleep and leads to drowsiness and difficulty concentrating, but it can also lead to serious health consequences in the long term, like a higher risk of heart disease and stroke.

At Grundy Dental Studio, we’re here to help with sleep apnea treatment in Boise, ID. We offer oral appliance therapy (OAT) to reposition your jaw, encourage proper airflow, and reduce the symptoms and health consequences of sleep apnea.

Understanding Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA)

The term “sleep apnea” refers to a group of conditions that cause periodic breathing interruptions at night during sleep. The most common form of sleep apnea is Obstructive Sleep Apnea, or OSA for short.

Obstructive sleep apnea happens when the soft tissues in your mouth and throat relax, sag, and block proper breathing at night. These interruptions usually last for at least 10 seconds, and could happen dozens or even hundreds of times per night, depending on the severity of the condition.
In the short term, these interruptions in breathing stop you from getting restful, relaxing sleep. You may have trouble falling and staying asleep, notice mood changes, and experience lots of other negative effects.

In the long term, though, OSA is even more dangerous. Because your breathing is interrupted, more strain is put on your heart and lungs while you sleep. Eventually, this can lead to other health conditions like high blood pressure and an increased risk of cardiovascular issues like heart attack and stroke.

Do I Have Sleep Apnea? Recognizing The Symptoms

Only a sleep specialist can diagnose you with sleep apnea. But if you recognize several of the following symptoms, it may be a good idea to ask your physician for a referral and to get an official diagnosis.

• Loud snoring with breathing interruptions, usually noticed by a sleeping partner
• Restlessness when trying to fall asleep
• Not feeling rested even after getting 8+ hours of sleep
• Waking up at night with a gasping or choking sensation
• Sore throat or dry mouth when you wake up
• Problems focusing and concentrating
• Feeling drowsy and tired during the day
• Irritability, mood swings, and decreased libido (sex drive)

Oral Appliance Therapy (OAT) For Sleep Apnea Treatment

If you have obstructive sleep apnea, a CPAP is not your only option for treatment. CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure) machines deliver a stream of pressurized air into your lungs to keep your airway from collapsing.

However, there are alternatives. At Grundy Dental Studio, we specialize in Oral Appliance Therapy (OAT). In this treatment, Dr. Grundy will design an oral appliance that will shift your jaw into a healthier position when you sleep. This device looks like two mouthguards that are attached to each other with a metal bar.

Each oral appliance is custom-made based on Dr. Grundy’s oral exam, X-rays, and intraoral imaging. With OAT, you can enjoy peaceful sleep, eliminate snoring, and reduce your risk of long-term health consequences due to untreated OSA, too.

The benefits of oral appliance therapy

• Highly effective treatment – With oral appliance therapy, you can eliminate the symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea. You’ll be able to fall asleep more easily, feel more energized when you wake up, and eliminate other issues like mood swings and irritability.

• Easy to take along during travel – There’s no need for any plugs, wires, or bulky equipment with OAT. You can bring your oral appliance with you in a small, easy-to-pack case, which makes it much easier to travel with than a CPAP machine.

• Minimal maintenance required – Unlike a CPAP, oral appliances require almost no maintenance. Just make sure you follow Dr. Grundy’s instructions to clean your appliance when you take it out in the morning. That’s it!
  
• Reduces snoring, too – Sleep apnea often causes loud, frequent snoring that can reduce your partner’s sleep quality. With oral appliance therapy, you can eliminate snoring and make sure that your partner can sleep without interruptions at night, too!

Get Help With Sleep Apnea At Grundy Dental Studio

If you’ve been diagnosed with sleep apnea in Boise, ID and would like to explore your options for treating your condition, oral appliance therapy from Grundy Dental Studio may be right for you. With oral appliance therapy for sleep apnea from Dr Grundy, you can start sleeping peacefully again and improve your overall health, too. Call now or book your first visit online to learn more.