Listen to Your Dentist When They Recommend Wisdom Teeth Extraction

Sleep apnea is a treatable but dangerous condition that can put your life at risk if you don't take steps to treat it. While most sleep apnea sufferers have machines at home that they wear when they sleep, many sleep apnea sufferers don't consider what they would do in an emergency. Read on to learn more about emergency planning for sleep apnea.

The Problem With Disasters

There are all kinds of disasters that you can experience in life, ranging from the natural to the man-made. In hurricanes, earthquakes, tornadoes, and floods, people typically lose their electricity. Unfortunately, this means your sleep apnea CPAP machine won't work. While some people do have generators for emergencies, that energy won't last forever. 

Others purchase cables to allow them to use their CPAP machines in the car. However, if your car is gone or deep under snow or water, this obviously isn't an option for you. What you really need is a non-electric sleep apnea device.

The Alternative

Believe it or not, your dentist can help you out when it comes to your sleep apnea. Dentists have created devices that are very similar to invisible braces or retainers in appearance, but their purpose is quite different.

A sleep apnea appliance made by a dentist is designed to fit over your upper and lower teeth snugly. There's a connector between the upper and lower pieces, which gently pushes your lower jaw forward. This creates more space in your throat when you lie down and relax, which makes it less likely for your airway to get cut off when your muscles relax.

Sleep apnea appliances only need to be kept clean to be effective. Whether you're away from home after a disaster or holing up without electricity, this device could save your life.

What To Expect

If you want to get a sleep apnea appliance, visit a local dentist to start the process. The two of you will discuss your needs, medical history, and they may send a request to your general physician for your sleep apnea-related medical records. Your dentist will also take x-rays and a mold of your teeth to begin the process of making the appliance.

Once your dentist has examined all the information and knows how far to pull your lower jaw forward, they will submit an order to the manufacturer with your information, teeth mold, and x-rays. Once it's complete, your dentist will call you to try it on. If it's a perfect fit, you're done!

If you like your sleep apnea appliance, you may even find yourself wearing it when you have easy access to electricity. In any case, you can rest easy knowing that no matter what happens, you'll have a way of sleeping without the risk of your breathing stopping in the night.

Contact a dental office like Leidenheimer Dental Group Inc for more information and assistance.