Snoring often occurs among American adults and children, and is typically non-threatening unless it involves interrupted breathing as a result of sleep apnea. This can result in a variety of health complications that need to be addressed. To prevent snoring caused by sleep apnea, you may need to wear a tongue stabilizer and keep it in good condition.
Our team at Sedona Dental Arts will help you determine which options for snoring treatment would be most beneficial to your breathing problems. Prior to receiving treatment, you should seek a proper sleep apnea diagnosis from your physician to ensure you can make informed choices on treatment. If your sleep apnea is severe, you may need to wear a CPAP over your mouth and nose, which is a positive pressure treatment device that facilitates proper air flow during sleep so that you aren’t affected by snoring and paused breathing.
A tongue stabilizer may be appropriate for mild-to-moderate sleep apnea cases, and this nighttime snore guard can be provided by your physician or dentists. Patients who wear dentures find tongue stabilizers to be optimal because they don’t attach to the teeth. A tongue stabilizer keeps the tongue and soft palate properly positioned in order to keep your breathing smooth during sleep.
To care for your tongue stabilizer in the morning, use a toothbrush and denture polish to gently clean away bacteria and plaque particles, and then brush your tongue to remove bacteria as well. Dry the device with a clean paper towel and then keep it safely in its case until the next use.
For more information on a tongue stabilizer in Sedona, Arizona, call Sedona Dental Arts at 928-282-1514 for an appointment with Dr. Austin Babcock.