Do you have what’s known as obstructive sleep apnea? If so, then you’re probably more than familiar with the unbearable fatigue, intense anxiety, and terrible daytime drowsiness that it can induce. Fortunately, custom mouthguards for obstructive sleep apnea can provide relief. Let’s dive into what these products are, how they work, and why they might be the best treatment option for you.
What Is Obstructive Sleep Apnea?
Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) refers to a chronic disorder characterized by disruptions to the sleeping process. Those with OSA experience frequent pauses in breathing or instances of shallow breathing while asleep. These pauses or shallow breaths can last anywhere from a few seconds to many minutes. They can occur dozens of times per hour, sometimes 30 times per hour or more.
These disruptions can cause you to wake up, sometimes gasping for air and keeping you from entering the deeper stages of rest. As a result, OSA can lead to an overall lack of restful sleep. The fallout from this could mean much more than just feeling a bit sleepier, however, especially over time.
Consequences of Untreated OSA
Those with untreated OSA have an increased risk of a number of serious health concerns, including:
Overall, the sleep problems linked with OSA can pose real risks to your health and safety.
How to Treat OSA
Luckily, there are effective treatments for Obstructive Sleep Apnea. The most typical treatments include traditional CPAP machines, oral appliances, and surgery. Of these treatments, custom mouthguards (commonly referred to as mandibular advancement devices, or MADs) are the least invasive and often work the best.
What Are Custom Mouthguards
Custom mouthguards are devices that are worn during sleep. Infected persons insert and adjust the device over their lower and upper teeth to create a position that advances their lower jaw slightly. The goal is to increase the airway space and reduce airway obstruction. This can reduce to stop snoring and improve the severity of OSA symptoms.
Benefits of Custom Mouthguards
Custom mouthguards offer several advantages over the alternative treatments for Obstructive Sleep Apnea. They can be effective for the majority of OSA sufferers. They are usually less cumbersome than CPAP machines and are easier to transport. Some MADs are even small enough to fit in a pocket. They are also quite less expensive than other treatment options.
Final Considerations
If you have been diagnosed with Obstructive Sleep Apnea and are looking for an effective, minimally invasive method of treatment, then you may want to consider custom mouthguards. They can help reduce snoring and improve the severity of your OSA symptoms. Consult your physician to see if it is the right treatment for you.
At the end of the day, no matter what your chosen method of treatment for OSA, it is important to protect your long-term health. The best way to ensure your health and safety is to see to it that you are getting the right amount and quality of restorative sleep. Consider how you can prioritize getting the sound sleep you need each night as part of your overall health and wellness.
Ultimately, custom mouthguards are an effective—and more affordable—treatment option for OSA. If you are suffering from snoring and other symptoms of OSA, then consider talking to your doctor about custom mouthguards for treatment.