Sleep disorders are medical conditions that prevent you from sleeping properly or sleeping for long enough. While most people have no problem sleeping, some people may suffer from sleep disorders and require treatment from a medical professional. Common forms of sleep disorders include insomnia, sleep apnea, excessive snoring, and restless leg syndrome.
These symptoms can be problematic to your health, leading to problems performing daily tasks like going to work or completing tasks around the house. In addition, these can lead to depression and other health problems. Your dentist can diagnose you with a sleep disorder and recommend sleep appliances in Toronto, ON.
Types of Sleep Appliances in Toronto, ON
There are many different types of sleep appliances in Toronto, ON, that can help keep the tongue from hanging back and obstructing the airway during sleep. Some devices work by pushing the lower jaw forward and keeping the jaw closed to keep the airway clear. Others work by supporting the chin or tongue to prevent it from falling back into the throat, blocking airflow. Here are some of them:
Night Guards
An oral night guard is a type of sleep appliance that can help prevent damage to your teeth and jaws while you sleep if you grind your teeth or clench your jaw regularly. Some patients experience pain in their jaw if the muscles become too tense, and a night guard can help relax the muscles in your jaw. It can also prevent the wear of your teeth due to grinding.
Tongue Stabilization Devices
A tongue retaining device, also known as TRD, is a type of oral appliance that’s worn during sleep to keep the tongue in place and prevent it from blocking your airway. These devices are especially useful for people who have problems with snoring or sleep apnea, but they may be recommended for anyone needing help with breathing while sleeping.
Mandibular Advancement Devices
The most popular type of sleep appliance is the mandibular advancement device, or MAD for short. These devices are worn in the mouth during sleep to keep the lower jaw positioned forward so that it does not block the airway. This keeps the tongue from falling back and blocking the throat as well.
There are two main types of mandibular advancement devices. The first type consists of a single piece that is custom-fit by a dentist to the patient’s jaw size. These pieces are adjustable and can be made longer or shorter depending on need. The other type consists of two pieces that snap together around the patient’s teeth. It is more difficult to adjust this type of device to fit properly, but it provides a lot of stability to the joint between the two pieces. It also tends to be more cost-friendly than single-piece devices.
Nasal Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP)
A CPAP machine pushes air into the nasal passages to stop breathing through your mouth and keep your airways open at night. It’s most effective when used every night, but some people find that they get too used to it and can’t use it without experiencing side effects like daytime mouth dryness, sore throats, or headaches. For that reason, it’s often prescribed as a short-term solution until the sleep apnea is under control, at which point it can usually be stopped. However, some people find they need to continue using a CPAP indefinitely to sleep better and maintain good overall health.
To find out more about the dental services offered at Belman Dental Centre, call (647) 952-6388 or schedule an online consultation. You can also visit us at 1881 Yonge St #403, Toronto, ON, M4S 3C4, Canada.