Custom Sleep Apnea Appliances in Odenton, MD

What Is Obstructive Sleep Apnea?

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) happens when the soft tissues collapse at the back of the throat while you sleep. This obstructs regular breathing patterns and can cause patients to stop breathing for short periods throughout the night. Over time, obstructive sleep apnea can lead to serious health concerns, so it’s important to seek treatment for your sleep apnea as soon as possible!

Common Symptoms of Sleep Apnea

Wondering if you have sleep apnea? Here are some of the most common signs to look out for:

• Chronic Snoring
• Dry Mouth or a Sore Throat
• Headaches
• Insomnia
• Lack of Energy During the Day
• Mood Changes
• Waking Up Gasping for Air

How We Treat OSA with Oral Appliances

We create custom-fitted oral appliances that reposition your jaw while you sleep. For those who have tried the CPAP machine and haven’t liked it, this may be a great alternative. Our sleep apnea appliances are soft, plastic, retainer-like trays that you put in before you go to bed. They’ll keep your airway open and your breathing normalized throughout the night.

Can Oral Appliances Fix Snoring?

Whether your snoring is caused by sleep apnea or another issue, our custom-made appliances can help alleviate your snoring. We understand that snoring can be a frustrating situation, especially for others who may live with you. Our team can help you get the snoring relief you and your family need!

How common is sleep apnea?

Sleep apnea affects somewhere between 20 and 30 million adults in America, making it a fairly common health issue and sleep disorder. It’s hard to get a firm estimate of how many cases there are because many patients with sleep apnea go undiagnosed, attributing their symptoms to other things like being stressed out or simply not getting enough sleep at night.

Do nasal strips help with sleep apnea?

Nasal strips aid in keeping the nostrils open at night, which can help reduce the symptoms of sleep apnea, like snoring, but they are not a cure and do not actually treat sleep apnea. This is because sleep apnea is caused by the muscles in the back of the throat becoming too relaxed during sleep, which has nothing to do with the airflow through the nasal cavities.

What else can I do for sleep apnea?

There are a few things you can do at home to help with sleep apnea. Raising your bed to be more upright and sleeping on your side can help to keep your airway from being obstructed. Using a humidifier at night can also add moisture to the air which can help open airways and prevent you from waking up with a dry throat.

Maintaining a healthy lifestyle that includes a healthy diet, regular exercise, and limited to no consumption of alcohol or tobacco products can also work well to reduce sleep apnea symptoms. However, utilizing an oral appliance is still one of the best ways to keep your airway open and unobstructed at night.