How Will my Dentist Treat Sleep Apnea?

Sleep apnea is a serious condition that, if left untreated, can lead to medical disorders including heart attacks and hypertension. Fortunately, treatment for sleep apnea can be as simple as lifestyle adjustments.

Sleep apnea is frequently linked to obesity, smoking, and alcohol consumption. Eating a healthy diet, getting plenty of exercise, and refraining from smoking and excessive drinking are sometimes enough to eliminate the disorder.

Not everyone can cure their sleep apnea through lifestyle changes, however. When lifestyle changes alone are not sufficient, St. Joseph, Michigan, sleep apnea dentist Dr. Sven Erickson can provide you with professional treatment to help eliminate this condition.

Sleep apnea is caused by an obstruction of your airways, which interrupts breathing while you sleep. To treat sleep apnea, your airways need to be kept open while you are in a prone, relaxed position.

The most common type of sleep apnea treatment is continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP). This entails wearing a mask that pushes air through your nasal passages via continuous pressure.

Because some patients find the CPAP mask distracting, Dr. Erickson offers alternate sleep apnea treatment, including the use of custom mouthguards. These mouthguards help keep your airway open as you sleep while allowing you to breathe normally.

If you’re interested in learning more about sleep apnea and treatment options for sleep apnea, please contact Dr. Sven Erickson at Modern Dentistry Associates. Dr. Erickson is a dentist serving St. Joseph, Kalamazoo, South Bend, and all of southwestern Michigan and northern Indiana.