Oral AppliancesGladstone, MO
Most people need seven to eight hours of sleep a night, but many people rarely get it. If you have chronic issues like snoring or sleep apnea that deny you a good-nights-sleep it’s important to seek treatment. Insufficient sleep increases the risk of cardiovascular disease as well as overall mortality.
Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) and loud snoring are typically caused by complete airway obstruction. We now offer an oral appliance that serves to reduce the likelihood of the tongue falling backward far enough to block the airway. Breathing is usually impeded in the back of the throat because:
- The tongue and muscles relax during sleep.
- The lower jaw falls back toward the throat.
- The airway becomes blocked.
The oral appliance prevents these issues from happening by moving the lower jaw forward, restricting the above causes from occurring.
For individuals who drive long distances for a living such as truckers, sales people and other jobs with considerable driving times, the Department of Transportation (DOT) has approved oral appliances, if the person is diagnosed with OSA and the condition is properly treated with the device. The oral appliance is small enough to carry in a shirt pocket and when drivers stop at a rest stop for a nap they know they will be getting a good rest without snoring or struggling to breathe. Once back home they will finally enjoy a much better nights-sleep.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), sleep deprivation is a factor in almost 100,000 motor vehicle accidents and 1,550 fatalities per year in the United States. Past studies suggest that fatigue and/or sleep deprivation may be a contributing factor in at least 30 to 40 percent of crashes.
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