Sleep Apnea

Snoring is generally the effect of the vibration of the surrounding tissues of the mouth that lies behind the tongue. As the muscles behind the tongue start to get constricted during sleep, it leads to shortening the airway path that leads to the lungs. This is what leads to turbulence and thus, the tissues begin to vibrate that leads to such a disturbing sound.

Sleep apnea is an obstructive sleep disorder that occurs when the airway to the lungs is blocked. The causes of sleep apnea are mainly obesity, the structural difference in the anatomy of the mouth, nasal malfunctions, etc. As the patients develop sleep apnea, they will begin to experience interrupted sleep patterns preventing them from having a sound sleep at night. Patients would start to feel that they were awake almost throughout the night.

WHAT CAN BE THE CONSEQUENCES OF SNORING?

Snoring that is left untreated leads to sleep apnea. Sleep apnea is an obstructive sleep disorder that occurs when the airway to the lungs is blocked. A person suffering from this condition will experience repeated interruptions during sleep. These interruptions may occur quite a few times. It can result in the lack of oxygen supply to the brain and the body.

Most often, snoring can be treated by using a snore guard or a mouthpiece. Olson Dental at San Mateo helps to treat patients with snoring and sleep apnea disorder.

WHAT IS A SNORE GUARD?

Dr. Olson at San Mateo advises that a snore guard or a mouthpiece is an oral appliance that can help reduce and treat snoring problems among patients. A snore guard is a medical device that can be inserted into the patient’s mouth and help to prevent the tissues of the mouth behind the throat from collapsing during sleep. Snore guards are easy to use and are known to be a comfortable method of preventing one from snoring.

WHAT IS THE MECHANISM BEHIND A SNORE GUARD?

Dr. Olson describes that a snore guard can be custom made to suit the patient’s needs. The snore guard can be placed inside the mouth where it guards the position of the tongue and the jaw while the patient sleeps. This will help by ensuring that the upper airway remains open and does not collapse while the patient is sleeping.

WHAT ARE THE ADVANTAGES OF USING A SNORE GUARD?

Snore guards are a popular choice for treating the initial stages of abrupt snoring that patients might experience during sleep. It serves as an effective method of preventing one from leading their snoring disorder into chronic sleep apnea. Snore guards help with the following:

• Improve the width of the upper airway behind the tongue.
• Prevent interruptions during sleep.
• Ensure sound sleep.

Snore guards are comfortable to wear as their compact and fine finish will not cause harm to the tissues inside the mouth.

Book an appointment with Olson Dental at San Mateo and we shall guide you further with Sleep Apnea and its treatment.