If you have been diagnosed with mild to moderate obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), you may be a candidate for an oral appliance to help you breathe better
while you sleep. Oral appliance therapy which is a mandibular advancement device or splint can help your snoring and apnea issues. With many options of oral
appliances available today, you can find one that works for you! A Jaw Advancing Device (JAD) or Mandibular Advancement Device (MAD) is made using specific
types of a plastic mold that is custom tailored to fit over a patient’s teeth to wear while sleeping. Most of these appliances push the lower jaw forward to open
up the upper airways, while the Tongue Retaining Mouthpiece keeps the tongue from falling back too far for better breathing and reduced snoring. Those with
obstructive sleep apnea stop breathing while sleeping because of airway obstructions. It can leave you gasping or choking as your body tries to breathe again.
If your throat muscles relax too much and fall back into the upper airway while you sleep, it can prevent your body from getting enough oxygen . As the brain
responds to your breathing pauses, it wakes up to signal the respiratory system to start breathing again. With mild obstructive sleep apnea, your apnea events
(pauses in your breathing of 10 seconds or more) range from 5-14 episodes in an hour. With moderate OSA, your interrupted sleep episodes range from 15-30
events per hour. An oral appliance is often chosen when a patient can’t handle or refuses to wear a CPAP mask, and they work well with accompanying weight
loss. To learn which sleep solution works best for you, a sleep study can determine the level of your sleep apnea and the accompanying options. Untreated
sleep apnea, with poor sleep levels, affects your health in many ways. Along with excessive daytime sleepiness and persistent exhaustion, it can raise your
blood pressure, cause heart arrhythmias (as well as heart disease and increase the risk of a heart attack), and raise your risk of stroke and diabetes. It can also
leave you with mood swings, mental fog, anxiety, and depression. It also increases your likelihood of having an accident while driving or operating machinery.
Benefits of Choosing an Oral Appliance for Your Sleep Apnea? Unlike a CPAP mask and equipment that can be hard to acclimate to, patients often feel more
comfortable wearing a mouth guard, so they consistently wear their appliance while they sleep. CPAPs can cause the wearer to feel claustrophobic, dry out the
nasal passages, irritate facial skin, and knock off the mask while sleeping. It can also be difficult to adjust to the air pressure. Unlike a CPAP machine, an oral
appliance is small and travels wherever you go. It’s not noticeable when the mouth is closed, so it doesn’t disturb your sleep partner. Results are instantaneous
as patients feel an improvement in their sleep right away. The appliance does not need electricity to operate. If you have sleep apnea or would like to learn
more about wearing an oral appliance to help your constant snoring or waking up during the night, we welcome you to reach out to our team. We look forward
to helping you get the treatment you need for a peaceful night’s sleep.
OUR ADDRESS
2001 E Lohman Ave Ste 122
Las Cruces, NM 88001
OFFICE HOURS
Monday – Friday 8:00 – 5:00
Holiday Hours Vary
