At our dental office in Wichita Falls, Texas, we’re proud to offer innovative sleep apnea treatments tailored to each patient’s unique needs. But did you know there are ways to enhance your treatment at home? Simple lifestyle changes and adjustments can significantly improve your sleep quality and overall health. If you’ve been diagnosed with Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) or are struggling with chronic snoring, our experienced team is here to help.
Led by Dr. James Green and Dr. Dustin Van Tassell, our dentists provide advanced sleep apnea care to patients of all ages. Call our office today at 940-322-2252 and one of our friendly team members will assist you.
Crash Course in Sleep Apnea
Sleep apnea is a serious condition that disrupts your breathing while you sleep, causing frequent interruptions in your rest. These interruptions occur when the tissues in your airway relax excessively, blocking airflow. This obstruction forces you to choke, gasp, or snore as your body struggles to maintain oxygen levels.
One of the most effective treatments we offer for sleep apnea is Oral Appliance Therapy (OAT). This innovative solution involves wearing a custom-designed device that keeps your jaw and airway open during sleep, ensuring uninterrupted breathing. OAT has helped countless patients regain restful nights and improve their overall health.
If you’re a chronic snorer—or if your partner is—sleep apnea may be the underlying cause. Snoring is often the sound of air being forced through a narrowed or obstructed airway. A proper diagnosis is essential, which can be achieved through a home sleep study or one conducted in a sleep lab. Once your diagnosis is confirmed, our Wichita Falls sleep dentists can design a treatment plan tailored to your specific needs.
How We Treat Obstructive Sleep Apnea
Our dentists believe in providing personalized care that fits seamlessly into your life. For most patients, Oral Appliance Therapy offers a comfortable and effective alternative to CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure) machines. CPAP therapy has long been the gold standard for treating sleep apnea, but many patients find the mask, hose, and noise too cumbersome for daily use. Our custom oral appliances are easy to use, silent, and highly effective.
Here’s how the process works:
- Custom Design: After evaluating your diagnosis and conducting a thorough examination, our team creates a custom oral appliance tailored to your mouth and jaw structure.
- Pre-Treatment Dental Work: In some cases, we may recommend general or restorative dentistry to address dental issues that could affect the fit or function of your oral appliance. Procedures like extractions, dental fillings, or crowns may be necessary to ensure optimal results.
- Fitting and Adjustment: Once your oral appliance is ready, we’ll ensure it fits comfortably and provides the necessary support to keep your airway open.
- Ongoing Monitoring: Regular follow-ups allow us to track your progress and make any adjustments needed for long-term success.
While most of our sleep apnea patients are adults, we also treat children who snore or show signs of OSA. Even young children can benefit from sleep apnea treatment, as proper breathing during sleep is essential for growth and development.
How to Supplement Oral Appliance Therapy at Home
Enhancing your sleep apnea treatment doesn’t require major changes—small, consistent adjustments to your daily routine can make a significant difference. These at-home strategies can help you achieve better results:
- Sleep on your side: Sleeping on your back can worsen airway obstruction, while side sleeping often reduces snoring and apnea episodes.
- Invest in a supportive pillow: Pillows designed for sleep apnea can help align your neck and airway.
- Lose weight: If your BMI is elevated, shedding even a small amount of weight can improve your airway function.
- Limit screen time before bed: Blue light from screens disrupts melatonin production, making it harder to fall asleep.
- Stick to a consistent sleep schedule: Going to bed and waking up at the same time every day helps regulate your internal clock.
- Avoid alcohol and caffeine: These substances can relax your airway muscles or disrupt your sleep cycles.
- Cut back on sugary foods: A balanced diet supports overall health and may reduce inflammation in your airway.
- Exercise regularly: Daily physical activity can improve both sleep quality and airway health.
- Reserve your bed for sleep only: Minimize distractions like watching TV or scrolling on your phone in bed.
- Quit smoking: Smoking irritates and inflames your airway, worsening sleep apnea symptoms.
- Avoid napping: While naps can be tempting, they may disrupt your nighttime sleep patterns.
The Connection Between Sleep Apnea, Snoring, and Weight
Weight plays a significant role in sleep apnea for many individuals. Excess fat around the neck and throat can narrow the airway, increasing the likelihood of obstructions. While not everyone with sleep apnea is overweight, and not all overweight individuals have sleep apnea, addressing weight-related factors can often reduce the severity of symptoms.
Losing weight through a combination of healthy eating and regular exercise can improve sleep apnea and boost overall health. Our team is here to provide guidance on lifestyle changes that can support your treatment and enhance your quality of life.
Why Oral Appliance Therapy is a Game-Changer
Unlike CPAP machines, oral appliances are easy to use, portable, and silent. These custom devices are designed to fit comfortably in your mouth and provide immediate results by keeping your airway open throughout the night. Patients who switch from CPAP to OAT often report improved compliance and better sleep quality.
Contact Our Wichita Falls, Texas Sleep Dentists
If you’re ready to take control of your sleep health, contact StarImage Dentistry today. Dr. James Green and Dr. Dustin Van Tassell are experts in effective, personalized sleep apnea treatments designed to fit your lifestyle. Call us at 940-322-2252 and someone from our office will help you get started with treatment.
