Obstructive sleep apnea is the most common type of sleep apnea, usually caused by the collapse of the soft tissues in the upper airway and tongue during sleep. Although this type of sleep apnea affects people of all ages, it’s more prevalent in older adults, and several other risk factors increase the risk. These include a small upper airway or jaw; a large tongue, tonsils, uvula, or neck; obesity; a recessed chin; a severe overbite; smoking; and alcohol use.
At Avenue Dental Care, we treat sleep apnea with a custom-fit appliance that brings the jaw forward or keeps your tongue from blocking your throat. The goal of an oral device is to keep your airway clear during sleep.
Many patients with mild to severe cases have reported success after being fitted with an oral appliance for sleep apnea in Everett and Puyallup, WA. This approach can be highly effective if you can’t tolerate CPAP therapy or if you suffer from loud snoring with or without sleep apnea.
If left undiagnosed and untreated, sleep apnea can have serious consequences, including high blood pressure, memory problems, weight gain, cardiovascular disease, and frequent headaches. In addition, research has shown that people with OSA are up to seven times as likely to have motor vehicle accidents.
OSA also affects quality of life and can lead to diminished libido. But with sleep apnea treatment in Everett and Puyallup, WA, the Avenue Dental Care team can help mitigate these risks and restore your ZZZs.
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