Obstructive sleep apnea and effective treatments
Dr. Richard J. Koeltl of RK Dentistry in Danville, California, describes obstructive sleep apnea as a sleeping disorder that causes breathing to stop, and start, repeatedly during sleep. This condition can be hazardous to one’s overall health since it can cause heart disease, high blood pressure, frequent respiratory infections, decreased libido, headaches, and much more.
Obstructive sleep apnea is a serious medical condition that can lead to many health problems if left untreated. This is why doctors and dentists highly encourage a diagnosis and effective treatment for sleep apnea.
What treatment options are available with my dentist?
There are treatment options that can be used to address obstructive sleep apnea, keeping the airways open during sleep to ensure patients do not experience disruption to their deeper sleeping levels. A doctor will typically encourage patients to use CPAP therapy. This is the use of a specialized device with a mask worn over the mouth and nose to maintain open airways. However, this device can be large and difficult to travel with, leaving many patients to refrain from using it as directed.
Instead, the team at RK Dentistry encourages you to consider the benefits of sleep apnea treatment using oral appliance therapy. This uses a customized mouthguard-like device worn in the mouth during sleep. It, too, keeps the airways open to reduce the risk of symptoms from obstructive sleep apnea. Because it is smaller, comfortable to wear, and easier to use, many patients will comply with oral appliance therapy more than with a CPAP machine, ensuring patients maintain the treatment they need to get a good night’s rest!
Request time to speak to Dr. Richard J. Koeltl about your condition
If you think you may have obstructive sleep apnea, talk to your dentist about getting tested for it as soon as possible. There are many different treatments available for this condition, so there is no reason to put off getting help for it any longer!
Call 925-732-5516 to schedule a consultation appointment with our Danville, CA area practice, located at 4165 Blackhawk Plaza Circle, Suite #200.
