What your dentist in Baltimore wants you to know
Sleep apnea is a condition that is much more than just loud snoring. Sleep apnea is a condition during which your airway is cut off while you sleep. Fortunately, there is a remedy to deal with sleep apnea. Dr. James Delaney Jr. and Dr. Melanie Burke, your family dentists in Baltimore, MD, want to help treat your sleep apnea and protect your health.
Sleep apnea is more common than you may think. In fact, according to the National Sleep Foundation, there are 18 to 20 million adults in the U.S. suffering from sleep apnea.
Your airway may be blocked several times each night. This repetitive sleep disruption and lack of oxygen can result in drowsiness during the day and inability to concentrate. It can also contribute to life-threatening medical conditions like these:
- Diabetes
- Alzheimer’s disease
- Heart disease
- Memory impairment
- High blood pressure
The conventional remedy for sleep apnea is a device called a Continuous Positive Air Pressure machine, also known as a CPAP. The device supplies a continuous flow of air through your mouth and nose. The CPAP has its disadvantages including:
- It’s uncomfortable to wear
- It can cause sinus problems
- Patients don’t like how it feels
- It often doesn’t fit well
There is a new way your dentist can treat sleep apnea. It’s called an Oral Mandibular Advancement Appliance. The appliance is custom-made to fit you exactly and is much more comfortable that the CPAP. It keeps your airway open by moving your lower jaw and tongue forward, while you sleep. You can sleep deeply and continuously throughout the night.
There are many reasons why people choose the oral appliance instead of the CPAP. They like it because it is:
- Comfortable, fitting easily into your mouth instead of over your face
- Portable, because it’s small and easily packable
- Convenient, because you just put it in your mouth before you sleep
- Easy care, because you just clean one small appliance, not multiple parts
You don’t have to suffer from sleep apnea when a simple solution is just a phone call away. To find out more about sleep apnea treatment, call Dr. Delaney and Dr. Burke, your family dentists in Baltimore, MD. Call today and get some restful sleep!