Has your partner complained about your chronic snoring? Do you wake up with morning headaches and a sore throat? Sleep apnea may be the culprit. This sleep disorder occurs when breathing is interrupted when sleeping, resulting in inadequate sleep and oxygen.

If you have been diagnosed with sleep apnea in Longview, Texas, and its environs, don’t delay treatment. Instead, please visit Clint Bruyere, DDS, in Longview, Texas, to learn how to stop this condition with a simple yet effective treatment. 

The dangers of untreated sleep apnea

Several types of sleep apnea exist, but obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is the most common. OSA happens when the muscles at the throat collapse, blocking the airway partially or entirely. When your brain senses oxygen deprivation, it arouses the body to awaken to restore normal breathing. Although the awakenings are subconscious, they result in fragmented sleep patterns, denying your body the restorative sleep it deserves. 

Untreated sleep apnea can cause grave consequences for your health. Constant oxygen and sleep deprivation strain your heart, brain, and other body parts, putting you at risk of diseases like:

• High blood pressure
• Heart disease
• Stroke
• Diabetes
• Depression

Although OSA is often linked to nighttime symptoms such as snoring and insomnia, its effects typically persist into the following day. OSA causes constant headaches, daytime fatigue, and irritability. Also, OSA causes poor daytime concentration, impairing your alertness when driving or operating heavy machinery. Poor concentration at work or on the road may cause serious accidents, putting yourself and the people around you at risk of injuries and even death. 

Treating sleep apnea

The objective of sleep apnea treatments is to restore normal breathing during sleep. While many medical doctors prefer a CPAP machine, dentists prefer mouthguards because they are discreet, effective, comfortable, and easy to use. Instead of sleeping with a machine strapped around you, oral appliance therapy (OAT) involves putting a simple custom-designed mouthpiece in your mouth. 

A mouthguard keeps your lower jaw and tongue in position to keep your airway open as you sleep. Constant oxygen flow to the brain maintains optimal body health and keeps your body refreshed and energized. A sleep apnea mouthguard also helps prevent snoring.

Sleep apnea relief at a dentist’s office

Clint Bruyere DDS offers bespoke sleep apnea devices to improve your emotional, physical, and mental health. Please call (903) 708-6116 to start your treatment today.

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