It’s 3 a.m. and you’ve been awakened again with the telltale nudge in the side. Your partner is awake too, and once again they are frustrated about your loud snoring. This has been happening more frequently lately, and no one is happy when they can’t get any rest. Snoring is often a sign of deeper problems such as sleep apnea, and here’s why sleep apnea therapy in Lumberton might be right for you.

Sleep Apnea 101

The most common type of sleep apnea occurs when an obstructed airway causes you to stop breathing during the night while you sleep. The lack of oxygen triggers your brain to wake you up, and while you may not realize you’re awake, this can actually be happening hundreds of times during the night.The obstruction is also the cause of your nightly snoring.

When you’re unable to get a good night’s rest, it affects your daily life and you may find it difficult to focus and concentrate during the day due to fatigue. Sleep apnea may also contribute to issues such as headaches, weight gain, and even depression.

How is Sleep Apnea Treated?

CPAP, or continuous positive airway pressure therapy is the standard treatment for sleep apnea. This treatment is effective for many patients, however, there are some drawbacks that make this therapy challenging for some. The CPAP requires you to wear a mask at night while you sleep that delivers continuous pressurized oxygen flow. Some patients feel claustrophobic wearing the mask, or they find that the machine too loud to sleep with.

The good news is that your dentist in Mt. Holly has solutions that can help you effectively manage your sleep apnea and get a good night’s rest. At Mt. Holly Family Dentistry, we create customized oral appliances that will reposition your jaw slightly forward during the night so your airway is open for clear breathing.

Oral appliances are comfortable to wear while you sleep and they work well for most patients. Even the most severe cases of sleep apnea may benefit from combining an oral appliance with CPAP therapy. Our dentists are happy to partner with your physician to ensure that you’re receiving the most effective therapies for your sleep apnea.

Contact Mt. Holly Family Dentistry

If you think you or a loved one may be suffering from sleep apnea, or you’ve been diagnosed and you’ve had little to no success with CPAP therapy, we encourage you to give our office a call today to learn more about how we can help you.