It’s common to hear about healthy teeth and healthy gums when visiting the dentist, but did you expect to hear about healthy sleep? Along with improving your oral hygiene, you may not know that a trip to Mountain View may be instrumental in improving your sleep hygiene, too!
How so?
I practice dental sleep medicine, which is a growing segment of dentistry that focuses on managing snoring and sleep apnea with oral appliance therapy.
Oral appliance therapy is an effective treatment option for snoring and obstructive sleep apnea. An oral appliance fits over your teeth like an orthodontic retainer while you sleep and supports your jaw in a forward position to keep your airway open. A custom-fit oral appliance can improve your sleep, restore your alertness, and revitalize your health.
Many patients prefer oral appliance therapy as a solution for living with sleep apnea, rather than CPAP therapy, because it is:
Comfortable – Since an oral appliance fits like a retainer, it’s more comfortable and easier to wear than a CPAP mask that’s connected to a machine - especially for those who change positions during sleep.
Quiet – A CPAP machine’s motor constantly runs during the night, which might not help you or your bed partner sleep soundly. An oral appliance is a silent option that can minimize the symptoms of sleep apnea, including loud snoring.
Portable – A compact, lightweight oral appliance is much easier to travel with than a bulky CPAP machine. It also doesn’t require electricity, so you can bring it wherever!
Easy to Care For – Cleaning and caring for an oral appliance is easy. Just a toothbrush cleaning with mild soap will keep your appliance fresh and clean.
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