The Basics of Oral Hygiene
A healthy smile starts with great oral hygiene. But what constitutes an effective oral hygiene routine? Learn the basics here.
Why Should I Turn to a Dentist for Help with Sleep Apnea?
If you’ve been suffering from sleep apnea, you’re not alone. It’s a common condition that affects about 30 million adults in the United States. If you’re one of them, you know it can make you tired and irritable. Instead of choosing a CPAP machine as your solution, turn to Carol Scuro, DMD, Bradford Emery, DMD, and Nicholas Emery, DDS, at Emery & Scuro DMD, PC in Rochester, New York, who can help with your sleep apnea.
In this blog, our experts answer some of your frequently asked questions about why a dentist is the right choice to treat sleep apnea and how our team can help you get the sleep you need.
What is sleep apnea?
Sleep apnea is a sleep disorder that causes you to stop and start breathing repeatedly during sleep. The two most common types of sleep apnea are obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and central sleep apnea (CSA).
Obstructive sleep apnea is the most common type and occurs when the muscles in the back of your throat relax too much during sleep, blocking your airway. Central sleep apnea happens when your brain fails to control your breathing while you’re sleeping.
What are the symptoms of sleep apnea?
Some telltale signs and symptoms of sleep apnea include:
- Snoring
- Fatigue
- Gasping for air while you’re asleep
- Waking with a headache
- Dry mouth in the morning when you wake
Sleep apnea is more than a snoring problem though. It hampers your ability to get restorative sleep and can increase the risk of serious health problems like high blood pressure (hypertension), heart disease, stroke, and diabetes.
How can a dentist help with sleep apnea?
Many people with sleep apnea use a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine, which can be effective for some, but it doesn’t work for everyone. If you’ve tried a CPAP and found it to be cumbersome with its mask and plugs, we offer oral sleep appliance therapy as a superior alternative.
Your oral sleep appliance looks just like a mouthguard or retainer and is tailor-made to fit your mouth perfectly. It repositions your jaw and tongue so that your airway stays open during sleep.
Some of the benefits of using an oral sleep appliance instead of a CPAP machine are:
- It’s easy for our team to adjust for your comfort
- It’s far less intrusive than a CPAP
- It’s highly durable
- Allows you to open and close your mouth to talk, drink, or yawn
You’ll also be able to take in more air with the appliance, increasing oxygen to your brain, and reducing sleep apnea symptoms and effects.
To get started with oral appliance therapy, schedule a consultation. Call 585-684-8423 today or book your appointment online at your convenience.
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