A good night’s sleep is invaluable to your overall health and wellness. Obstructive sleep apnea is often undiagnosed and can be life-threatening. A mouth guard oral appliance could be the solution you’re looking for.
An estimated 22 million adult Americans suffer from sleep apnea. 80% of moderate and severe cases go undiagnosed. Aside from having a serious impact on a person’s sleep, if left untreated, sleep apnea can lead to high blood pressure, chronic heart failure, atrial fibrillation, stroke, and other serious cardiovascular problems.
What Is Sleep Apnea?
There are three main types of sleep apnea:
- Obstructive Sleep Apnea is caused by a blockage of the airway usually by the tongue
- Central Sleep Apnea is caused by a signal failure between the brain and the muscles that cause you to breath
- Complex Sleep Apnea is a combination of obstructive and central sleep apnea.
When it comes to obstructive sleep apnea treatment, dentists primarily use a specialized and custom mouth guard. The oral appliance specifically addresses the obstructive part of their complex sleep apnea condition. For those with Central Sleep Apnea who cannot tolerate a CPAP machine, a custom mouth guard is a non-invasive option.