How to Supplement Your Sleep Apnea Treatment

Dr. Kendall Skinner
Thu, 19 Sep 2024 15:01:04 +0000
Sleep Apnea

Sleep apnea is more than just a snoring issue—it can lead to serious health problems if left untreated. Fortunately, {{{{link id='58234' text='oral appliance therapy'}}}} is one of the most practical and effective treatments for managing sleep apnea. For optimal results, supplementing your sleep apnea treatment with additional lifestyle changes and therapies can further improve [...]

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Sleep apnea is more than just a snoring issue—it can lead to serious health problems if left untreated. Fortunately, oral appliance therapy is one of the most practical and effective treatments for managing sleep apnea.

For optimal results, supplementing your sleep apnea treatment with additional lifestyle changes and therapies can further improve your sleep quality and overall health. Here’s how you can enhance your sleep apnea treatment journey.

Understanding Sleep Apnea

Sleep apnea occurs when breathing repeatedly stops and starts during sleep due to airway obstruction. This can cause fragmented sleep, reduced oxygen levels, and symptoms like daytime fatigue, morning headaches, and irritability. More concerning, untreated sleep apnea has been linked to severe conditions such as heart disease, high blood pressure, and stroke.

At Excellence in Dentistry in Anchorage, Dr. Kendall Skinner and Dr. Michael Fox offer alternative solutions and holistic approaches to managing sleep apnea, primarily through oral appliance therapy. Supplementing your primary treatment with additional therapies and lifestyle adjustments can significantly improve your sleep and long-term health outcomes.

1. Consider Oral Appliances

The mainstay of dental sleep apnea treatment is oral appliance therapy. Our Anchorage dentists offer ProSomnus oral appliances, custom-made devices designed to reposition your jaw and keep your airway open during sleep. Here’s how oral appliances can help:

Comfortable and non-invasive: Oral appliances are much more comfortable to wear than other treatment devices, making them easier to use consistently.

Travel-friendly: Compact and easy to carry, oral appliances are ideal for those who travel frequently and don’t want the hassle of cumbersome equipment.

Low maintenance: Oral appliances are easy to clean and maintain, requiring minimal upkeep.

If you’re looking for a non-invasive and practical solution to manage sleep apnea, oral appliance therapy is the perfect fit for your treatment plan.

2. Try NightLase Therapy

For patients seeking a non-invasive and comfortable option to reduce snoring and apnea episodes, NightLase therapy is a great choice. Offered at Excellence in Dentistry, this laser treatment tightens the tissues in your airway, reducing obstruction and minimizing snoring. Here’s why you should consider NightLase:

Pain-free and quick: NightLase therapy requires no surgery or downtime. Each session lasts about 30 minutes, and results can be seen after just a few treatments.

Long-lasting effects: Patients often report reduced snoring and improved sleep quality for up to a year following NightLase therapy.

NightLase therapy is an excellent supplementary treatment that can enhance your sleep apnea management, particularly if you seek an alternative or complement to oral appliances.

3. Make Lifestyle Changes

In addition to professional treatments, making fundamental lifestyle changes can significantly impact your sleep apnea symptoms. Here are a few adjustments you can make:

Maintain a Healthy Weight

Being overweight is one of the main risk factors for obstructive sleep apnea. Extra weight around the neck can pressure the airway, making it more likely to collapse during sleep. Losing even a small amount of weight can significantly reduce the severity of your sleep apnea symptoms.

Quit Smoking

Smoking worsens inflammation and fluid retention in the upper airway, making sleep apnea more severe. Quitting smoking is one of the best steps you can take to support your treatment and improve your overall health.

Limit Alcohol and Sedatives

Both alcohol and sedative medications relax the muscles in your throat, increasing the likelihood of airway obstruction. Avoiding these substances, particularly before bedtime, can help you breathe more easily during sleep.

4. Adjust Your Sleep Position

Your sleep position dramatically affects the severity of your sleep apnea. Sleeping on your back causes your tongue and soft tissues to collapse into your airway, making it harder to breathe. Here are a few strategies to try:

Sleep on your side: This simple change can help keep your airway open and reduce snoring.

Elevate your head: Elevating your head with a wedge pillow or adjustable bed can also help minimize airway obstruction.

Even minor adjustments in how you sleep can significantly reduce the frequency and severity of apnea episodes.

5. Stay Consistent with Follow-up Visits

Whether you’re using an oral appliance or NightLase therapy, attending regular check-ups is essential to monitor your progress and make any necessary adjustments to your treatment. Here’s what to expect during follow-up visits at Excellence in Dentistry:

Progress assessment: We will evaluate how your treatment works and suggest modifications to improve effectiveness.

Reassessment of symptoms: If your symptoms have improved, your dentist may recommend tapering your treatment or adjusting it if new symptoms arise.

Oral appliance adjustments: Adjustments may be necessary for those using oral appliances to ensure the device continues to fit properly and provide maximum benefit.

Consistent monitoring and open communication with your dental team will help you achieve better outcomes and more restful sleep.

Take Control of Your Sleep Apnea Journey

Successfully managing sleep apnea requires a combination of effective treatment and supplementary strategies. Whether using oral appliance therapy or laser treatment, incorporating lifestyle changes, adjusting your sleep position, and attending regular check-ups can significantly enhance your treatment results.

At Excellence in Dentistry we are dedicated to providing comprehensive, personalized care to help you achieve the best possible outcome in managing your sleep apnea. By supplementing your primary treatment with these additional approaches, you can improve your sleep and overall quality of life.

Ready to take the next step in your sleep apnea treatment? Contact our Anchorage dentists today at (907) 349-0022 to learn more about how we can help you achieve better sleep and long-term health.

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