Sleep Apnea Madison, WISleep apnea often goes undiagnosed for most people. Among some of the most common symptoms of the condition include choking, gasping, low blood oxygen levels, snoring sounds, and sleep disturbances due to a partial or complete collapse of the patient’s airway. Thanks to the professionals at Madison Family Dental Associates, patients can now have access to information and numerous oral appliances to help them restore their health. How Do Mouth Guards Help Treat Sleep Apnea?Most oral appliances are designed to address underlying causes of obstructive sleep apnea. Certain physical features, such as the tongue falling back into the throat or a small jaw, can make the symptoms worse. This is where a mouthguard comes in. It helps open the airway up by moving the lower jaw forward. Some are also designed to position the tongue forward. Nonetheless, each night guard is custom-made to fit the patient’s jaw and help it stay in the right position. Sleep Apnea and Teeth GrindingSleep bruxism, the practice of grinding teeth while asleep, is believed to co-occur with sleep apnea. However, the relationship between the two isn’t necessarily considered causal. Instead, they are believed to be independent of one another. Most people aren’t aware of their teeth-grinding habits at night, which is why the only way to detect the condition is by a dental health evaluation. Our dentists may notice cracked or eroded teeth during the examination to conclude that you have bruxism. Leaving the condition untreated can cause persistent jaw pain, headaches, and periodontal tissue damage. However, the treatment usually depends on the underlying cause. If your bruxism exists without sleep apnea, our dentists may recommend a custom-made oral device to help you avoid further harm to your teeth.  Sleep Apnea and TMJTemporomandibular joint, or TMJ, is a small joint that serves as a bridge between your skull and jaw. Most people with TMJ have a hard time sleeping. Since sleep apnea is known to make your airway collapse, it triggers the body to push forward the lower jaw to open your airway up. The persistent TMJ motion can cause extreme tension and stress on the jaw joint and make your sleep apnea worse. Common Treatments for TMJSome of the most common treatments for TMJ include:
Sleep Apnea Can Be TreatedAll in all, oral appliances such as mouthguards can significantly help reduce the discomfort associated with sleep apnea. Not only are they non-invasive, but they’re also convenient and induce the least amount of pain. For more information about oral appliances and their role in the treatment of sleep apnea, contact Madison Family Dental Associates by calling us at 608-274-5970 today! |
|
|
Madison:5709 Odana Road, Madison, WI 53719 608-274-5970 HoursMon - Thurs: 7 am - 6 pm Friday: 7 am - 2 pm DeForest502 Nelson Court, DeForest, WI 53532 608-846-3302 HoursMonday: 8 am - 5 pm Tuesday: 7 am - 4 pm Wednesday: 8 am - 5 pm Thursday: 8 am - 5 pm Friday: Closed |
