Santa Cruz, Scotts Valley CA
Approximately 39 million adults in the United States have obstructive sleep apnea, according to new data released by the National Council of Aging. If you have received a sleep apnea diagnosis, you likely were offered or may use a CPAP machine, which forces air into the airways while you sleep. While the CPAP machine is effective, many users complain that the mask is irritating to wear, the machine is noisy, and it’s difficult to keep clean of mold and mildew buildup. Thankfully, there is an alternative treatment for sleep apnea so that you can breathe better and sleep soundly. So today on the blog, explore four reasons to ditch your CPAP and opt for an oral appliance instead.
First, how can dentists help with sleep apnea?
Not all dentists offer sleep apnea treatment. However, sleep apnea dentists in Scotts Valley at Ebrahimian Integrative Dentistry offer a specialized type of dentistry that focuses on airway health and efficiency. Our dentists not only help you maintain good oral health but can assess jaw alignment and oral posture to determine if you may be at risk for a sleep-breathing disorder like obstructive sleep apnea. Our sleep apnea screenings can help determine if you could benefit from an official sleep study. Together, with a sleep specialist, we can design the ideal treatment to help you stop snoring and breathe better while sleeping. Oral appliance therapy is quickly becoming the preferred method of managing sleep apnea. The oral appliance, also referred to as mandibular advancement devices, helps hold your lower jaw in a favorable position so that the tongue has room to relax, instead of slide back and blocking the airway.
The Benefits of Oral Appliance Therapy in the Treatment of Obstructive Sleep Apnea
Customizable
At Ebrahimian Integrative Dentistry, we offer oral appliances that are adjustable to fit your changing sleep apnea treatment needs. The oral appliance is made from impressions and digital scans of the inside of your mouth, including your bite (how your teeth come together). We are able to determine the proper oral rest position for your jaw so that you can achieve maximum airflow when lying down. Some oral appliances also come equipped with tongue-retaining capabilities to ensure the tongue remains in a specific position while sleeping to reduce snoring and breathing pauses. Therefore, opting for an oral appliance to help manage your sleep apnea and reduce snoring means a more customizable option over the CPAP machine.
Affordable
An oral appliance is more affordable than a CPAP machine because they do not require ongoing maintenance or need to purchase supplies like new hoses, masks, or water for a machine. Instead, the oral appliance should last for months or even years, depending on your sleep apnea treatment needs. Plus, oral appliances are easy to maintain and clean, and typically do not require special cleaning solutions.
Portable
One of the biggest complaints from CPAP machine users is that the device is difficult to take along when traveling or for overnight stays. And there may not always be a plug to run the machine. But oral appliances travel easily because they are small and fit inside a case that you can throw in your purse, suitcase, or other bag when traveling. Additionally, since oral appliances do not require the use of electricity, you’ll travel with ease.
Quiet
Another complaint from those that use a CPAP machine is that it is noisy and affects their sleep and the sleep of their partner. In a sense, CPAP machines can almost have a contradictory effect because while they are supposed to help the sleep apnea sufferer rest better, the noise from the machine counteracts that benefit in some cases. However, an oral appliance is silent and won’t affect you or your partner’s sleep.
Sleep Apnea Screening in Scotts Valley, Santa Cruz, and Los Gatos, California
If you have received a sleep apnea diagnosis and would like to explore alternative treatments for sleep-breathing disorders, we encourage you to schedule a consultation with Ebrahimian Integrative Dentistry by calling (831) 438-4411. Additionally, if you exhibit signs or symptoms of sleep apnea, please schedule a sleep apnea screening so that you can begin managing your condition and reduce certain health risks associated with sleep apnea.
