The Far-reaching Benefits of Sleep Apnea Treatment Outweigh the Minimal Risks
Sleep apnea is a serious condition that can lead to severe and long-term health issues. Although minimal, there are some risks associated with sleep apnea treatments. For many patients, the benefits far outweigh the risks. Dr. Gordon Bell can discuss the benefits of sleep apnea treatment with you at his office in York, PA to help you make an informed decision about our treatment plan.
Benefits Of Sleep Apnea Treatment
There are a number of short- and long-term benefits provided by sleep apnea treatment. Shortly after beginning your treatment, you should notice significant changes in your sleep patterns, such as sleeping through the night. You will likely wake in the morning feeling more rested and energetic than before, and you may notice you no longer wake with a sore throat or a headache.
Sleep apnea treatment can also prevent several long-term health issues. Because sleep apnea involves multiple interruptions in breathing each night, death is a possibility. In addition to improving your ability to breathe, effective treatment can prevent several serious health conditions, such as diabetes, depression, stroke, and heart disease and heart attack. Simple, non-invasive treatment can improve the quality and length of your life.
Modern treatment approaches are comfortable and convenient. Oral appliance solutions offered by Dr. Bell include SomnoMed® and TAP®, both of which are completely customized and adjustable to accommodate each patient’s unique needs. With most oral appliances, you have full function of your mouth and have the ability to speak, drink, yawn, and even take medication while wearing your appliance. These non-invasive treatments can provide significant and lasting relief that preserves your overall and oral health.
All of the risks associated with sleep apnea treatment are often avoidable. If you experience any discomfort or begin to notice changes to your bite, Dr. Bell can make adjustments and show you exercises to improve comfort.
Risks Of Sleep Apnea Treatment
There are few risks associated with non-surgical sleep apnea treatments, and issues can usually be easily dealt with:
- Tooth discomfort is the most common and least serious of the three risks. The oral appliance may put added pressure on your teeth and can cause temporary soreness. Because most of the appliances Dr. Bell offers are fully adjustable, he can make alterations to minimize any pain or discomfort you may experience.
- Oral appliances work by pushing the lower jaw forward to keep the airway open, which can cause jaw joint or muscle pain for some patients. Long-term jaw pain or discomfort is rare, and your oral appliance can be adjusted to a more comfortable setting.
- The forward movement of the jaw from the oral appliance can cause slight tooth movement or repositioning of the jaw, changing your bite. However, there are jaw exercises you can do each morning to help reset your bite and prevent permanent changes.
All of the risks associated with sleep apnea treatment are often avoidable. If you experience any discomfort or begin to notice changes to your bite, Dr. Bell can make adjustments and show you exercises to improve comfort and prevent permanent shifts.
Improve Your Quality Of Sleep and Life
The benefits of sleep apnea treatment are significant and far-reaching for your quality of life. If you are considering an oral appliance for sleep apnea treatment, contact us today to schedule a consultation with Dr. Bell.