Over ten million people suffer from a serious disorder known as obstructive sleep apnea, or OSA. In today’s blog, your Livingston dentists, Dr. David Silverstrom and Dr. Gary Silverstrom, explain the causes of OSA and how repositioning your jaw with a simple device can ease the symptoms of sleep apnea.
What Causes OSA?
Obstructive sleep apnea occurs when the soft tissue in the back of the mouth and throat relaxes, blocking airflow. This causes the patient to stop breathing for brief periods. Once the brain becomes deprived of oxygen, the patient is woken up to start breathing again. Patients with sleep apnea may experience this cycle hundreds of times a night.
Symptoms of Sleep Apnea
How do you know if OSA is at the root of your sleep issues? There are a number of common symptoms to watch for, including:
· Chronic snoring
· Waking up choking or gasping for air
· Daytime drowsiness
· Irritability
· Inability to focus at work or school
· Depression
Repositioning the Jaw
Without treatment, patients with sleep apnea experience an increased risk of serious medical complications, including: High blood pressure, heart attack, and stroke. At The Silverstrom Group, yourLivingston NJ general dentists will diagnose the cause and severity of your sleep apnea. From there, they can recommend an array of treatment options, such as muscle exercises.
Another common treatment is an intraoral device. Similar to a mouth guard, this oral appliance is worn during sleep. The appliance moves the jaw and tongue forward, constricting the throat muscles and preventing blockage. By repositioning the jaw, you can breath easier.
Schedule an Appointment with Your Livingston NJ General Dentists
Do you suffer from the symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea? Then talk to you Livingston NJ general dentists today. Drs. David and Gary Silverstrom offer an array of treatment options to address various sleep disorders. At The Silverstrom Group, we offer the latest in general, restorative, and cosmetic dentistry to transform the health and beauty of our patients’ smiles. Contact The Silverstrom Group in Livingston, New Jersey by calling (973) 797-9345. The Silverstrom Group is located at 580 South Livingston Avenue, Livingston, New Jersey.
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