Sleep apnea is a frightening medical condition that ails more than 800,000 Canadians. People diagnosed with sleep apnea stop breathing in their sleep for short periods of time before resuming their inhalation and exhalation cycle. Common symptoms of sleep apnea entail fatigue despite a full night sleep and loud snoring.

Traditional fixes to the sleeping disorder have comprised of visits to doctors’ clinics and sleep centres. But did you know a skilled dentist can help you fully combat your sleep apnea?

Types of Sleep Apnea

Before you call a dental professional, it is essential to have a working knowledge of sleep apnea. Firstly, the sleeping disorder comes in two types; central sleep apnea and obstructive sleep apnea, which are somewhat equally dangerous to your physical and mental health.

Central Sleep Apnea

In the condition of central sleep apnea, the brain stops sending signals to the body and compelling it to breathe. The phenomena results in a lack of respiratory functioning, and although no damage gets inflicted onto the airways, the breathing does not occur due to a lack of instructions from the brain. The central sleep apnea has been linked to severe abnormalities in the lower brainstem that controls our breathing.

Obstructive Sleep Apnea

Obstructive sleep apnea is the most common type of sleep apnea. Under this condition, your upper airways get entirely or partly blocked during sleep. The interference in breathing causes your chest muscles and diaphragm to overexert themselves to unblock airways and draw in air to your lungs.

The condition of obstructive sleep apnea can be controlled by sleeping on your side, avoiding alcohol at least four to five hours before bedtime and most importantly, maintaining a healthy weight. Individuals who are overweight remain at risk for sleep apnea. Moreover, medical solutions, correct posture and lifestyle may all fail to cure sleep apnea if you do not lose weight.

A Dentist Can Help

Now, the most critical question, how can a dentist help? Dentists can help alleviate and cure sleep apnea in people by providing them with extremely useful oral appliances.

Mandibular Advancement Devices

Mandibular advancement devices are prominent dental sleep devices employed in the treatment of Obstructive Sleep Apnea and snoring. The oral appliance moves the lower jaw along with the tongue forward, resulting in an opening of the collapsible part of your airway. The devices increase muscle activity of the tongue while improving the strength of the airways.

Tongue-Retaining Devices

Tongue-retaining devices specifically control the tongue and pull it forward, keeping the airways open. These dental sleep devices are a less common option, however, remain appropriate for a broad range of mouths.

Contact Jason Harvey, DMD

Oral appliances are a practical and affordable option for getting your sleep apnea under control. The custom-made devices are created to fit each patient’s mouth and help them avoid surgery down the road.

So wait no more and contact Dr. Jason Harvey and Associates for beneficial sleep apnea solutions. We use modern technology and clinical procedures to provide you with the most advanced options in all of Edmonton.