Disclaimer: I have teamed up with American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine (AADSM) in support of this campaign. We received a gift card for participation in this campaign. However, all thoughts and opinions are my own.
An Effective Sleep Apnea Treatment from… A Dentist!
Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a condition that causes people to suddenly stop breathing during sleep anywhere from about 10 seconds to more than a minute. This can happen up to hundreds of times a night. Currently, more than 12 to 18 million U.S. adults suffer from sleep apnea.
The Risks
Sleep apnea is a potentially life-threatening condition that can increase the risk for serious health problems, including:
- Congestive heart failure
- Stroke
- High blood pressure
- Heart disease
- Diabetes
- Obesity
- Depression
- Impotence
The Symptoms
- Loud, frequent and habitual snoring
- Breathing during sleep that abruptly stops
What is Oral Appliance Therapy?
Pioneered by dentists, oral appliance therapy is an effective alternative to the standard continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine and mask. It uses a “mouth guard-like” device worn only during sleep to maintain an open, unobstructed airway. Oral appliance therapy devices prevent the airway from collapsing, typically by supporting the jaw in a forward position. There are currently more than 80 different styles of oral appliance therapy devices that have received FDA clearance.
Treatment Options: Oral Appliance Therapy and CPAP
- CPAP is the standard treatment for sleep apnea.
- Because CPAP involves sleeping with a mask that forces air through your nose/mouth, it can be hard for some patients to tolerate.
- Up to 50 percent of sleep apnea patients do not comply with or tolerate CPAP, which ultimately means many people with sleep apnea are opting not to treat this serious disease.
- Oral appliance therapy often can equal CPAP in effectiveness and achieve higher compliance.
- Many patients prefer oral appliance therapy devices to CPAP masks because they are comfortable, easy to wear, quiet, portable and easy to care for.
Diagnosis
Board-certified sleep physicians can diagnose patients with primary snoring or obstructive sleep apnea. This is usually done with a sleep test.
Treatment
- Dentists trained in dental sleep medicine can then provide treatment with oral appliance therapy – custom-fit/adjusted – often covered by medical insurance.
- Readers can learn more about oral appliance therapy and sleep apnea and find a local dentist who offers oral appliance therapy by visiting www.LocalSleepDentist.com.
Click here to find a local dentist who offers oral appliance therapy.
Click here to visit American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine (AADSM) website.
Click here to Like American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine (AADSM) on Facebook.
WIN: 24/7 MOMS and American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine (AADSM) are giving away a $50 Bed Bath & Beyond gift card.
Enter for a chance to win using the Rafflecopter entry form below. For every entry you do it’s an extra entry to win.
US entries only and one entry per person. Winner will be chosen on December 28, 2013.
52 Responses
It’s interesting to read about these alternative oral therapy devices for sleep apnea. My hubby and I snore and probably both need one of these.
A sleep treatment from dentists, this is new to me.
love this store
thank you for the chance to win.. very information review too!
My husband has the worst snoring, even wakes himself up!
My Dad uses a CPAP machine and what a nuisance it is, especially when traveling. My poor mother has to sleep in the guest room half the time because of the noise the thing makes. I’m going to talk to them about this option, which looks like a much better alternative. Thank you for the information–and the nice giveaway!
It’s great there’s a treatment for sleep apnea.
Thank you.
Pinned the giveaway http://www.pinterest.com/pin/61431982391094208/
Sleep apnea is a very dangerous condition and deserves more awareness.
I love seeing all these different options. Very helpful.
thank you for the giveaway!
pin-http://www.pinterest.com/pin/113715959315356779/
Thanks for sharing this information. I know what to look out for now
i think i have sleep apena
My sweet husband has sleep apnea and a heart condition and has to use a CPAP. It’s a problem when we travel, especially by air. This might be a great alternative! I’ll have him ask his cardiologist about this.
Interesting – I had no idea there were options.
I know someone who is supposed to use the mask, but refuses to wear it. I will suggest that he look into this option.
I’ll have to ask my cardiologist about sleep apnea when I see her next month.
I need to show my husband these options!
Pinned – http://www.pinterest.com/pin/171418329540697294/
I get concerned about my hubby, who has said that he would not want to deal with the CPAP. I bet he might consider this option!
I learned a lot from this post
My husband had surgery for his sleep apnea.
Thanks for the chance!
Thanks for the opportunity! http://www.pinterest.com/pin/11118330304267181/
I never thought of dentists treating sleep disorders.
this would be great for my dad
I have a friend who suffers from sleep apnea and hates wearing a mask. I’m going to let her know about this device … it just might give her more relief without the inconvenience of a mask. Thanks so much for the review … and the giveaway!
My husband uses a cumbersome sleep apnea machine.
sleep apnea is prevalent in my family. thanks for the review.
http://www.pinterest.com/pin/70931762854941613/
my mom has her wish list registered at this store, makes it easy to shop for her
my dad doesn’t like the mask :\ And pinned:
http://www.pinterest.com/pin/283445370271605161/
love bed bath and beyond store
Thanks for the chance to win the gift card.
This is information my husband needed. Thank you!
Thanks for the opportunity!
Much less intrusive treatment.
pin
http://www.pinterest.com/pin/151363237450093045/
IVE WONDERED IF I HAVE SLEEP APENEA OR JUST ALWAYS TIRED FROM MY KIDS
I would like this better than the cpap machine.
My doctor has scheduled a sleep apnea test for me, I will have to talk to her about this depending on the result! Good info!
These look like great options to consider; I have a family member with sleep apnea.
Several people in my family have sleep apnea. Thanks for highlighting.
Thanks for the information; my dad uses a cpap machine…and I pinned: http://www.pinterest.com/pin/203647214373942937/
Thanks for the giveaway!
Bed Bath and Beyond always sends out the coupons that work so well with a gift card
This would be great for my dad!
This would be great for my hubby I listen to him and night and it is scary sometimes..
I know that I snore, my kids have told me that I do.
thank you for the chance!
i love BBB!
Entered the rafflecopter as “Wild orchid”
Thanks for the chance to win!
wildorchid985 at gmail dot com
Thanks for the awesome giveaway!
I use a cpap machine and it not as easy as people thinks
I have sleep apnea in my family and will look into these options!
Pinned:
http://www.pinterest.com/pin/139259813451522275/