Sleep apnea is a serious medical condition characterized by interruptions and pauses in breathing. These pauses can occur as many as 40 times in a single minute, and in some cases a pause may last for up to a minute. Many people with sleep apnea are unaware that they have it and may wake up feeling as if they have received little or no sleep due to the fact that they spent the night fighting to breathe normally and receive the amount of oxygen they need.
Sleep apnea occurs when the airways are obstructed, such as when the tongue rolls back in the throat or the soft tissues of the throat “collapse.” Common signs of sleep apnea include:
- Extreme daytime drowsiness
- Personality changes and irritability
- Difficulty staying asleep
- Regular and loud snoring
- Gasping and choking sounds while asleep
- Waking with a dry or sore throat
- Headaches in the morning
- Difficult concentrating or memory impairment
Here at Zama Dental, we offer oral appliances to help manage sleep apnea so you can breathe easily and get the rest you need. While sleep apnea does need to be diagnosed by a sleep physician, our dentist will work with you and your doctor to determine the severity of your sleep apnea and create a custom oral appliance that will meet your needs.
Oral appliance therapy is often a good option for managing mild to moderate sleep apnea. Oral appliances work by advancing the lower jaw slightly forward into a comfortable position. This forward movement tightens the soft tissues and muscles of the airway, preventing them from vibrating and obstructing your airway while asleep. Your appliance will also help the tissues at the back of your throat relax and prevent your tongue from rolling back. With an oral appliance, you can enjoy a safe, soundless and restful sleep that will promote your overall health and wellbeing.
We invite you to call us at 310-325-0684 today to schedule a consultation with Dr. Robert Zama and learn more about sleep apnea treatment in Torrance, California.
