Do you regularly snore? If so, you may be experiencing poor sleep, in addition to driving your significant other crazy. In order to stop this and enjoy a better night’s rest, you may need to undergo sleep apnea treatment. We’re talking about the link between snoring and sleep apnea, and when people in Mansfield, TX, should schedule an appointment.
Why Do I Snore?
For some of us, the soft tissues that sit in the back of our mouth and in our throat become a bit too relaxed as we sleep. The tissues collapse and then partially block airflow. When we breathe, we force air through these partial obstructions and vibrate these tissues, causing a loud sound. To limit occurrences, we suggest sleeping on your side instead of your back, reducing your consumption of alcohol before bed, and trying to maintain a regular sleep schedule (going to bed and waking up at the same times daily). However, if these changes have no impact, you may need to make an appointment to see your Mansfield, TX, dentists right away.
The Sleep Apnea Connection
Sometimes changes to your bedtime routine may not be enough to stop your snore. In these situations, you may actually be experiencing the symptoms of a serious sleep disorder. During an apneic episode, oral tissues completely block airflow when they collapse. The patient stops breathing completely, until the brain notices a sudden drop in oxygen. The patient is woken up, despite rarely remembering being woke, and breathes until the next apneic episodes. For some, this happens hundreds of times a night, leaving people exhausted. Common warning signs include headaches, dry mouth when waking up, exhaustion during the day, moodiness, and episodes of waking suddenly struggling to breathe, including gasping for air or choking. If you experience one or more of these symptoms, then please let us know as soon as possible so we can perform a diagnosis and discuss treatment.
Custom Oral Appliances
For those with sleep apnea, we may suggest an oral appliance to stop their snoring and help them rest easier. The custom-made device will look and fit much like a mouthguard. The device repositions the jaw to help ensure open airways throughout the night. Patients have found the device to be a more comfortable and convenient alternative to the CPAP machine. If you have any questions about identifying and treating sleep apnea, or if you snore on a regular basis, please let us know as soon as possible.
Do You Suffer From a Chronic Snore?
We have solutions to help you (and your significant other) enjoy a better night’s rest. For more information about our preventive and general treatment options, schedule a consultation by calling our dentist’s office in Mansfield, TX, today at 817-473-6227.
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