Sleep Apnea Treatment Waterbury

Millions of adults in the United States have a sleep disorder known as sleep apnea. This condition can make it very difficult to get the quality sleep you need during the night, which can have an adverse effect on your health and your everyday life. In many cases, our general dentists at Waterbury Smiles can help you get your sleep-disordered breathing under control so that you can enjoy a better night’s rest. To learn more about our options for sleep apnea treatment in Waterbury, reach out to us today!

What is Sleep Apnea?

People with sleep apnea experience multiple pauses in their breathing every night while they’re asleep. There are multiple forms of this disorder, but the most common one is obstructive sleep apnea, which occurs when the airway is physically blocked in some manner.

When sleep apnea interrupts your breathing, your brain forces the body to wake up in order to get some air. You most likely won’t remember these awakenings as they’re usually very brief; as such, you might not even be aware that your sleep is being repeatedly disrupted throughout the night.

There are several warning signs associated with sleep apnea, including loud snoring, chronic fatigue, memory problems, and mood swings. If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms, you should have a sleep test performed as soon as you can to confirm whether sleep-disordered breathing is to blame.

The Dangers of Sleep Apnea

If you have sleep apnea, you may feel excessively tired during your waking hours, and you might have trouble staying focused. This can hinder your performance at work and have a negative impact on your career. On top of that, you may be more likely to get into an accident while driving.

Furthermore, untreated sleep apnea can have a devastating effect on your health. The disorder can put a lot of stress on your cardiovascular system and increase your chances of experiencing life-threatening heart problems. If you want to protect your overall health, it’s essential to have sleep apnea treated as promptly as possible. 

Sleep Apnea Treatment Options

At our practice, we can treat your sleep apnea with a personalized oral appliance. This device helps open the airway by moving the lower jaw slightly forward. By wearing an oral appliance, you can manage your sleep apnea symptoms and enjoy quieter, more restful nights.

While sleep apnea is traditionally treated with a CPAP machine, many patients prefer oral appliances for a variety of reasons. For one thing, they don’t make any noise, and there’s no bulky equipment to worry about when traveling. Furthermore, oral appliances are often more comfortable than CPAP since they can be carefully customized for each patient’s mouth.