Snoring is common problem that can also indicate sleep apnea. Sleep apnea is a serious condition where the muscles around the tongue and throat relax while you’re sleeping. This can block the flow of air to your lungs, causing you to stop breathing. While the body usually wakes up and restores normal breathing, sometimes it doesn’t, and while rare, the sleep apnea sufferer could die.
Certain mouth guards can help treat sleep apnea by preventing the block of airflow to your lungs. Over-the-counter versions are available, but they lack the quality and fit of a custom mouth guard made by your dentist. Sleep apnea is serious, and you should see a physician to determine if a mouthpiece can be used to treat your sleep apnea. If it can, let Dr. Petroff custom-fit an appliance for you.