07/24/2014 16:03
According to the National Institutes of Health, about 12 million Americans suffer from sleep apnea. Sleep apnea is characterized by pauses in breathing during sleep. Each pause can last from a few seconds to more than a minute. Some patients can have apnea episodes hundreds of times a night. Our Los Angeles dental office offers treatments for sleep apnea to alleviate the obstructions and improve breathing.
Our dentist has been specially trained to identify symptoms of sleep apnea and may recommend a sleep study to confirm the diagnosis. If you have sleep apnea, a dental appliance may be one treatment option. Dental appliances are a comfortable, effective option that can be used to keep the soft tissues in the mouth from collapsing and obstructing the airways. They can be used alone in people with mild to moderate sleep apnea. CPAP therapy uses positive airflow, which is administered through a facial mask, to keep the airways open.
We may also recommend sleeping on your side, reducing your tobacco and alcohol use and avoiding sedatives to help improve breathing. Excess weight can contribute to sleep apnea, so many people can see improvements by losing weight and exercising. Contact our office today to learn more or to schedule an appointment with our expert in sleep apnea in Los Angeles.
