What Is Sleep Apnea?

Your snoring has worsened, and your family is worried. At Pediatric and Adolescent Dentistry and Orthodontics in El Cajon, CA, our dentists work with sleep apnea patients--many of them children-- who snore loudly and exhibit symptoms of airway obstruction. Dr. Michael Maurer and Dr. Gary Olen can help you breathe properly and stay healthy.

What is sleep apnea?

It's a Sleep-related Breathing Disorder or SRBD. It impacts millions of Americans, including scores of children between the ages of two and eight, reports the American Sleep Apnea Association. Characterized by loud snoring, gasping for breath, and repeatedly waking up, most sleep apnea originates with airway blockage as the tongue relaxes and covers the back of the throat.

This kind of sleep apnea is called Obstructive Sleep Apnea, or OSA, and it is the most common type of sleep disorder. Less common is Central Sleep Apnea, or CSA, involving miscommunication between the brain and respiratory system. Mixed Sleep Apnea features symptoms of both OSA and CSA.

Regrettably, sleep apnea damages overall health and well-being. Diabetes, hypertension, erectile dysfunction, memory and concentration issues, and depression all may stem from sleep apnea. As such, diagnosis and treatment by a sleep physician are important.

Treating sleep apnea

At Pediatric and Adolescent Dentistry and Orthodontics in El Cajon, Dr. Maurer and Dr. Olen offer customized oral appliance therapy to counter the symptoms of Obstructive Sleep Apnea. There are about 20 oral appliances approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and your dentist will select one best for your specific dentition and comfort.

The guiding principle behind oral appliance therapy is simple: gently reposition the tongue so it cannot cover the airway as you sleep. An appliance resembles a bite guard for people who clench their teeth or an athletic mouth guard which protects the teeth and gums during contact sports.

Most people tolerate oral appliances well and find them effective in controlling their snoring. These simple devices are a wonderful alternative or addition to CPAP therapy.

CPAP means Continuous Positive Airway Pressure. It involves wearing a facial mask that delivers sufficient air to keep the back of the throat open. However, many patients find CPAP noisy and cumbersome. So, oral appliances may be their best treatment options.

Sleep apnea and your family

At Pediatric and Adolescent Dentistry and Orthodontics in El Cajon, CA, Dr. Michael Maurer and Dr. Gary Olen can tell you more about sleep apnea. Call today for a consultation: (619) 440-5915.