Sleep Apnea is one of the conditions that can prevent one from getting consistent sleep and the much-needed rest to function at optimal capacity. Fortunately, there are various methods to manage the condition, and one of the most effective is Oral Appliance Therapy (OAT). This method works by gently pulling your jaw or tongue forward while you sleep, thereby opening up your airway and ensuring better airflow, which consequently leads to improved sleep. In this article, we will delve into the benefits of this treatment procedure for addressing sleep apnea.
What is Sleep Apnea?
Sleep apnea is a condition in which your upper airway is partially or wholly blocked when you fall asleep. The reduced airflow in the body triggers the brain to wake you up, allowing you to continue breathing. This cycle of waking and sleeping continues through the night, hence making your sleep less restful and preventing your vital organs from getting enough oxygen. When left untreated, Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) can lead to severe health conditions or even become fatal.
OAT helps treat this condition by holding your mouth in place and ensuring that you get enough airflow. They help maintain a consistent breath pattern, thereby reducing the frequency of OSA disruptions to your sleep.
Understanding Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) Disorder
One of the causes of OSA is the TMJ disorder. The temporomandibular joint connects the jawbone to the skull, and a disorder of this joint can cause pain in the surrounding muscles, significantly impacting jaw movement.
TMJ symptoms
There are several symptoms you should watch out for to know if you have a TMJ disorder. Here are some of the common ones:
- Pain on one or both sides of your temporomandibular joints
- Tenderness or pain in and around the jaw
- Pain or aching around the ear
- Pain while chewing or having a hard time chewing
- A Joint lock is making it hard to open or close your mouth
Headache - Aching facial pain
- A toothache that may occur due to jaw tenderness
Early Signs of TMJ Disorder
To quickly and effectively treat this condition, it is essential to identify it in its early stages. Some of the signs that you can watch out for are:
- Clicking or popping sounds in the jaw
- Difficult with jaw movement
- Headaches
- Jaw pain or soreness
- Changes in how your teeth fit together when you bite
Causes of TMJ Disorder
The temporomandibular joint usually combines sliding motions and hinge action as the bones work together to move your jaw. This bone structure is covered by cartilage and separated by a shock-absorbing disk. TMJ disorder can occur if the following happen:
- The disk gets eroded or moves from its position on the socket joint
- Sprain of the ligaments surrounding the TMJ
- Arthritis damage
- Impact damage
- Muscle spasm of the TMJ muscles
Benefits of Appliance Therapy for Sleep Apnea
There are several benefits of appliance therapy for sleep apnea. For one, mandibular advancement devices (MADs) help move your jaw forward and pull your tongue forward, creating more space for airflow at the back of your throat. Secondly, tongue-stabilizing devices (TSDs) pull your tongue forward by suction. This opens up your airway by moving the base of your tongue, hence ensuring unrestricted airflow. Lastly, appliances like a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine apply continuous pressure to your airways while you sleep, thereby keeping them open.
Looking to Get Your Sleep Back on Track?
Looking to have a restful, uninterrupted sleep? Spark Sleep Solution is a specialized organization that offers various forms of Oral appliance therapy to address sleep apnea and other conditions, such as TMJ, in San Ramon. Our specialized staff is always available to answer all your questions and concerns regarding sleep therapy. Visit us today to learn more.