What are the symptoms of sleep apnea?
Mild to heavy snoring throughout the night is not only a nuisance to your partner/spouse, but can also indicate the presence of a much more serious problem called sleep apnea; a disorder in which breathing repeatedly starts and stops throughout the night. Snoring is a common symptom; however, even those who do not snore may suffer from sleep apnea.
The most common signs that you or a loved one may be suffering from sleep apnea are the following:
- Moderate to loud snoring.
- Periods throughout the night when you do not breath, witnessed by a family member or spouse.
- Sudden awakenings caused by shortness of breath.
- Headache, dry or sore throat when you wake.
- Irritability the following day, or issues staying focused throughout the day due to fatigue.
Sleep apnea treatment – oral appliances
Oral appliances, also called Jaw Advancing Devices (JAD) or Mandibular Advancement Devices (MAD), can be extremely helpful in maintaining healthy sleep patterns, re-aligning the tongue, and correcting the jaw so as not to obstruct the airways. Similar to a mouth guard, a JAD/MAD is worn in the mouth, and is compact, portable and discreet.
Our sleep apnea treatment process
When you visit St. Paul Dental Centre for your oral appliance, the dentist will take an impression of your mouth and send it off to a local dental lab who will make the custom fitted appliance. The device will be ready in approximately 7 days, when you return to our St. Paul dental office, you’ll be fitted for your new appliance, and any adjustments can be made at this time for comfort and fit.
If you have any questions about oral appliances or sleep apnea signs, symptoms, and treatment, give our clinic a call – we’re here to help! 780-645-6028.