Serving patients of Erwin, Jonesborough, and Greeneville TN
If you have been diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea, a CPAP machine is the most common treatment. But that does not mean that it’s the ideal option to manage your sleep apnea. Often, CPAP users complain about using their machine because the mask is irritating, and the machine is difficult to clean and emits a noise that disturbs their partner’s sleep. While a CPAP effectively forces air into the airway, relieving your snoring, now your partner isn’t sleeping well. Sleep is essential for everyone. It provides an opportunity for the body and brain to rest and rejuvenate. Sleep apnea sufferers should not ignore their condition. So, today on the blog, our sleep apnea dentists in Greeneville share what to do when your CPAP keeps your spouse awake.
If your CPAP machine is too noisy for your spouse or partner, make the guest bedroom their new room, right? Sleeping separately might actually be a solution for some couples, but not everyone. Just because you have sleep apnea doesn’t mean that you can’t share a bed with your significant other. Instead of using a CPAP machine, Greeneville sleep apnea dentists offer oral appliance therapy to curb snoring and manage mild to moderate sleep apnea, all without disrupting your partner’s sleep.
To understand how oral appliance therapy can help manage your sleep apnea, let’s first explore what happens during an apneic event. When someone has sleep apnea, their airway narrows while sleeping. This restriction or airway blockage occurs most often due to soft tissue that collapses or blocks the airway. Snoring is the sound you get as air seeps past the blockage, causing the soft tissue to vibrate. A CPAP machine successfully manages sleep apnea because it continuously pumps air into the airways while sleeping. The machine is calibrated for your breathing needs so that you receive enough air.
The problem with CPAPs
Many CPAP users quit using their machines within a few months. Users report that wearing the mask irritates their skin, that the machine is difficult to keep clean and free of mildew and mold, and that it’s noisy and bothers their significant other. Toting a CPAP with you when traveling also is not ideal.
Why oral appliance therapy works
Oral appliance therapy has been proven to be a safe and effective method of managing sleep apnea. It works by holding the jaw in a slightly forward position and gently forces the tongue in proper positioning so that it does not slide back and block the throat. Sleep appliances in Greeneville offer several benefits. Wearing an oral appliance is comfortable and doesn’t require any wires or electricity to work. So, it will not interfere with your partner’s sleep. Additionally, you can store your oral appliance in a protective case that easily fits in an overnight bag or suitcase when traveling.
Natural Sleep Apnea Treatment in Greeneville
If you’re looking for a natural way to manage your sleep apnea or want to explore an alternative to using a CPAP machine, contact Tusculum Dental Care at (423) 639-7575 to schedule a consultation.