Snoring & Sleep Apnea Solutions from Ariata Dental

Wake Up Refreshed

At Ariata Dental, we provide treatment for sleep apnea to patients in Gurnee and the surrounding areas.

What Is Sleep Apnea?

Sleep apnea is a serious sleep disorder that can cause your breathing to become more shallow or even stop altogether when you’re asleep. When this occurs, your body shifts from deep, restorative sleep to a night of lighter sleep.

The result is that no matter how much rest you get every night, you always feel tired. This can begin to impact your quality of life, making it difficult to concentrate, perform at your job, and maintain a healthy lifestyle.

While severe sleep apnea often requires a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine or surgical treatment, your Ariata Dental team can provide you with a custom-fitted mouthpiece to treat mild to moderate sleep apnea.

In addition to making lifestyle changes like losing weight and quitting smoking, wearing your mouthpiece each night can help alleviate your sleep apnea by repositioning the jaw to unblock your airway and keep it open while you sleep.

Signs of Sleep Apnea

It can be difficult to diagnose sleep apnea since many people in Gurnee are unaware that breathing issues are disrupting their sleep. Signs that you may be suffering from sleep apnea include:

  • Daytime sleepiness
  • Loud snoring
  • Morning headaches or sore throat
  • Trouble focusing at school or work
  • Waking up gasping for air

Side Effects of Sleep Apnea

Left untreated, sleep apnea can lead to several serious health issues, including:

  • Cardiovascular disease
  • Headaches
  • High blood pressure
  • Impotence
  • Mood disorders
  • Problems with memory
  • Weight gain

CPAP Isn’t the Only Solution

While CPAP is an effective treatment for sleep apnea, it’s not the only solution. When sleep apnea is mild to moderate, a custom mouthpiece may be all that’s necessary to help you find relief.

These mouthpieces are more comfortable and affordable than CPAP machines. Rather than using air pressure to force your airway open, a mouthpiece repositions the lower jaw in a way that prevents the soft tissues in your throat from obstructing your breathing when you sleep. Even in severe cases, if you are CPAP-intolerant a sleep appliance can help.

Natural Solutions for Sleep Apnea

Weight loss and limiting tobacco and alcohol consumption are the best natural ways to remedy sleep apnea. However, with weight loss in particular, it can take time to see results.

In the meantime, a sleep apnea mouthpiece can help you get a good night’s rest. A visit to our Gurnee office can determine if your oral skeletal alignment is contributing to the apnea.

Does Sleep Apnea Cause Weight Gain?

Sleep apnea can both contribute to weight gain and be caused by weight gain, contributing to a vicious cycle. Apnea can affect your hunger hormones throwing them out of balance.

Treating sleep apnea with a nighttime mouthpiece from Ariata Dental can help break that cycle and improve your health.

To learn more about sleep apnea treatment with Ariata Dental, contact our office to schedule your appointment today.