People with Sleep Apnea experience pauses and reductions in their breathing during sleep. This results in low levels of oxygen and causes daytime sleepiness and other symptoms.

The most common type of sleep apnea is obstructive sleep apnea, which happens when something blocks the airway. Obstructive sleep apnea is most often caused by being overweight, smoking, having enlarged tonsils, or having a narrow throat due to age. However, many other factors can raise the risk of obstructive sleep apnea, such as high blood pressure, heart disease, or diabetes.

Sleep Apnea Treatment: How a Dentist Can Help You Sleep Better

Another type of sleep apnea, central sleep apnea, is less common and occurs when the brain doesn’t send the right signals to breathe. People with this type of sleep apnea may have a heart attack, stroke, or high blood pressure. They also may have a difficult time learning, feel depressed or anxious, and have trouble concentrating.

The good news is that sleep apnea can be treated with lifestyle changes and medical devices like mouth guards, mouthpieces, or CPAP machines. In some cases, losing weight and stopping smoking can also help. Talk to your doctor about the best treatment for you. It takes three to six months of consistent nightly treatment to start feeling better. If you have severe obstructive sleep apnea, your healthcare provider might recommend a mandibular advancement device (MAD), which is worn over the teeth and holds the jaw and tongue forward to increase space in the upper airway and reduce snoring.