Thursday, November 11, 2010

Do you Snore?

Snoring could be a bigger problem than you think. It isn't just an noisy nuisance that disturbs both sufferers and their families, it is a disruption that can contribute to fatigue. It can leave the sufferer to fell tired, drowsy and inappropriately sleepy. The most important factor is that prolonged effects of lack of sleep can lead to slowed responses, memory problems, difficultly in paying attention and concentrating, which can all affect performance at the work place.



Dr. Steven Millman, DDS

When snoring is so loud that it disturbs the sleep of the snorers and their families, it may be a sign of a related condition known as Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA).

So what would be recommended? Firstly, determine if you have Sleep Apnea by booking an appointment with a sleep centre. Here they will monitor you sleep patterns to conclude an accurate diagnosis. If you are diagnosed with Sleep Apnea, you can consider the CPAP machine. While Continuous Positive Airway Pressure has long been considered the gold standard of care for sleep disordered breathing, patients find its use difficult and seek alternate treatments. One of these treatments is the Oral Appliance Therapy.


This oral appliance is a small plastic device similar to an orthodontic retainer or an athletic mouthguard. This airway orthotic is worn in the mouth during sleep to prevent the soft throat tissues from collapsing and obstructing the airway. Dentists with training in oral appliance therapy, such as myself, can construct and fit these appliances to meet their patients individual needs. By bringing the the lower jaw forward, the tongue is held off the back of the throat, which increases the airway size. This allows more air to flow freely while you sleep.

If you have any further questions or wish to book an appointment with me, please do not hesitate to call our office at 905-666-1555.

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