Dr. Teddy Umo a dentist in the Fallston, MD area who also specializes in the treatment of sleep apnea and snoring. By utilizing oral appliance therapy, he can help you find relief from your sleep disorder.
With millions of people suffering every day form obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), seeking treatment is very important to your health and quality of life.
Dr. Umo offers oral sleep appliances at her dentist office located near Bel Air, MD. A snoring mouthguard, sometimes called a snore guard, is a good treatment for people suffering from mild to moderate obstructive sleep apnea.
What is Sleep Apnea?
Obstructive sleep apnea is the most common type of sleep apnea. It occurs when a person is sleeping and they stop breathing for a brief period, over and over during the night. This is due to an obstruction in the upper airway. The muscles in the back of the throat will relax causing the soft tissues to collapse making it impossible for air to pass through.
The brain will receive a signal that breathing has ceased and the person will wake up to restart their breathing. The pause in breathing can last ten seconds or longer. This can happen up to 600 times in a single night leading to many health complications due to oxygen deprivation.
How to I know if I have Sleep Apnea?
To be diagnosed with sleep apnea, you must have a sleep study done. Dr. Umo will work with your general physician for proper medical diagnosis and appropriate treatment. There are some people who may not even realize they suffer this sleep disorder. It is important to learn the signs and symptoms so that you can receive proper treatment.
If you or your partner suffers from any of the following, please schedule a visit with your doctor:
- Excessive daytime sleepiness
- Issues concentrating during the day
- Suddenly waking up gasping for air
- Loud snoring
- Frequent headaches
- Snorting or choking while sleeping
- Abnormal feelings such as depression or irritability
Sleep Apnea Treatment: Oral Appliance Therapy
Once you have obtained a diagnosis for obstructive sleep apnea, Dr. Umo will help you get a custom sleep mouthguard. Many of our patients are not thrilled about the idea of wearing a CPAP machine every single night to bed. The upkeep for them is also very daunting and time consuming.
With it being much less invasive and requiring less maintenance, a snore guard may be a more convenient solution for you.
An oral sleep appliance is an innovative piece of dental technology that is designed to help you breathe continuously while you are asleep. These appliances looks similar to regular mouthguards. They work by keeping the airway open to allow for proper air flow.
The appliance will reposition the jaw and tongue in a forward position so the airway can never become obstructed. If worn properly, you will experience a full night of sleep and wake up feeling well-rested.
Schedule a Dental Exam Today
If you have been diagnosed with or suspect you have sleep apnea, contact our local dentist office today. During your consultation at our Bel Air, MD, area dentist office, we will review your symptoms and see if an oral sleep device is the right treatment for you. Call 410-994-2627 to schedule an appointment with Dr. Umo or request an appointment online.