Obstructive sleep apnea can be dangerous but it is treatable. Here in our Holmdel, NJ dental practice, Dr. Dipika Shah, DDS offers her patients with mild sleep apnea a snore guard.
A snore guard can help patients with mild sleep apnea or just snoring since these conditions often go hand-in-hand. The snore guard is like a mouth guard and works to position to jaw differently. Sleep apnea occurs when the soft tissues in the back of the throat collapse and cause a blocked airway. The snore guard repositions the jaw so that the soft tissue is no longer collapsed and there is an open airway.
In addition to the snore guard, there are some lifestyle changes that can help decrease the severity of sleep apnea. Keeping a healthy weight will reduce the excess weight put on the neck while sleeping. In addition, there are some sleeping habits to practice. First, sleep on your side rather than your back. This helps keep the airway more open. Secondly, avoid drinking alcohol or taking sedatives before bed. This depresses the body’s system and can become dangerous if the body does not react appropriately to apnea.
Sleep apnea can lead to life-threatening health complications. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Dipika Shah, DDS, call our Holmdel, NJ office at (732) 264-8180 or visit our website, www.dentistnj.com.
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