Sleep is extremely important to our health and well-being. However, poor sleep quantity and quality can lead to the likelihood of developing dementia, heart disease, obesity, type 2 diabetes, and certain cancers, according to Johns Hopkins. In addition, sleep deprivation can result in memory and learning challenges, increased irritability, daytime fatigue, stress, and other mood changes.
Many people suffer from sleep disorders such as insomnia, sleep apnea, or circadian rhythm disorders. The good news is, there is help out there for you! In today’s blog, we will take a look at what sleep medicine is and how we can help you here at Piedmont Oaks Dental.
A Look at Sleep Medicine
Sleep medicine is a medical specialty focusing on the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of sleep disorders as well as disturbances. Such disorders range from common issues such as sleep apnea and insomnia to more complex conditions such as restless leg syndrome and narcolepsy.
A collaborative effort between healthcare professionals such as neurologists, sleep specialists, pulmonologists, and psychologists, sleep medicine requires a multi-disciplinary approach.
Treatment involves anything from behavioral therapies to medications to lifestyle modifications. Specialized equipment like CPAP machines and Oral Appliance Therapy (OAT) may be able to help a lot.
Sleep medicine is designed to help individuals once again enjoy restorative sleep. As touched on above, good sleep is essential for overall health, mood regulation, cognitive function, and physical well-being. A diagnosis can come in the form of anything from sleep studies to home sleep tests. The purpose of sleep medicine is to address the complex relationship between health and sleep, with a goal of improving not only the duration of your slumber but the quality as well.
How Can Piedmont Oaks Help You?
Well, there are many ways. We firmly believe that everyone, young and old, should wake in the morning feeling energized and rested. Along with proper nutrition and adequate exercise, good sleep is one of the three main pillars of health. Unfortunately, many people simply don’t get the ZZZs they need. This is alarming when you consider that sleep takes up about a third of your life, affecting all aspects of health and wellbeing.
Did you know that between 50 and 70 million Americans suffer from sleep disorders? Also, one in three adults do not regularly receive the recommended amount of uninterrupted sleep they need in order to preserve their health, says Sleephealth.org.
Here at Piedmont Oaks Dental, our team offers personalized treatments for both sleep apnea and snoring, with solutions that fit seamlessly into your lifestyle. No worries: you don’t have to put up with invasive or uncomfortable treatments any longer.
CPAP machines can be cumbersome, noisy, and inconvenient. If you’re looking for a quieter, more comfortable solution, try Oral Appliance Therapy (OAT) for the relief you’ve been after. OAT is an innovative, patient-centered approach to sleep medicine that we can discuss at your consultation. Sleep apnea happens to be one of the most common reasons patients try OAT with us.
There are many reasons why we treat sleep apnea, a sleep disorder characterized by repeated episodes of shallow breathing or breathing cessation during sleep. OAT can help:
- Stop snoring and sleep disruptions
- Enhance focus and memory
- Improve energy levels
- Protect brain health
- Lower risk of accidents
- Reduce irritability and mood swings
- Prevent serious health risks
Sleep apnea episodes can last anywhere from a few seconds to several minutes. Obstructive sleep apnea is the most common type, and this is when the airway collapses or becomes blocked due to excess weight, narrow airways, or enlarged tonsils. Oral Appliance Therapy (OAT) is a comfortable, effective, and quiet solution to manage sleep apnea and snoring.
Advantages of OAT
First off, this customized oral appliance is similar to a dental retainer. It’s made to fit over your teeth, gently pushing the lower jaw forward so your airway stays open during sleep. This technique also helps to prevent the tongue and soft tissues from blocking the airway.
There are many advantages associated with OAT:
- Convenient care: OAT is easy to maintain and clean on a daily basis.
- Comfortable fit: Because your device is custom made for you, it feels natural and comfortable to wear.
- Quiet and portable: OAT is quiet and involves no bulky equipment like with a CPAP machine, making it ideal for home and travel use.
Dr. Guerisoli, founder and president of Piedmont Oaks Dental, is a member of the American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine (AADSM). This is a national organization representing dentists treating sleep-related breathing disorders. Because of this experience and access to education and resources, you can rest assured that Dr. Guerisoli can address your sleep disorder right here in the office with compassion and skill.
Book a Sleep Medicine Consultation With Piedmont Oaks Dental Today
Do you suffer from sleep apnea or other sleep disorders? Are you looking for comfortable relief once and for all? Just book your appointment with us today for a sleep medicine consultation in Piedmont CA.