If you have trouble getting high quality sleep, you can talk to your dentist. Dr. Jacob McLauchlin is a Nixa, MO dentist offering treatment for sleep apnea using an oral appliance to wear during sleep. Our office uses advanced diagnostic tools to find the underlying cause and offer a customized, unique sleep apnea treatment. Learn more about how your dentist can help with sleep apnea below.
Why Treat Sleep Apnea?
Obstructive sleep apnea, or OSA, is most commonly associated with obesity or excess weight. Certain sleep positions can obstruct the airway as the muscles relax during sleep, restricting airflow to the rest of the body. The reduced oxygen supply to the brain during sleep makes it more difficult to function during the day, as your body is unable to get the restorative benefits from a good night’s sleep. Patients with untreated sleep apnea are at a higher risk of traffic accidents, memory and concentration deficits, and heart disease.
Early and effective treatment can restore health, improve quality of life and significantly reduce your risk for greater health concerns including heart attack and stroke.
Dental Sleep Apnea Treatment
So how can your dentist help stop sleep apnea? Dentists are uniquely positioned to understand the entire facial structure and how the muscles, ligaments, tissue, and bone work together. Some patients deal with structural problems that lead to tooth grinding and sleep apnea, and a highly-trained dentist like Dr. McLauchlin can identify the underlying problem to recommend the best treatment. For example, someone with an uneven bite may suffer from sleep apnea because their jaw is not properly aligned, and can improve their quality of life with the right dental treatment.
Dr. McLauchlin often recommends an oral appliance to be worn during sleep for patients who are intolerant of CPAP therapy or who have mild to moderate sleep apnea. This appliance is custom fit to each patient’s mouth and helps adjust the jaw to keep the airway open during sleep, and it also reduces the effects of nighttime teeth grinding.
Nixa, MO Dentist
If you would like to learn more about sleep apnea and your oral health, contact our Nixa, MO dental office at 417.202.0932 to schedule an appointment with Dr. McLauchlin. We welcome new patients and offer personalized dental care focused on the needs of the individual patient.