Obstructive Sleep Apnea, or OSA, occurs while an individual sleeps and their tongue rolls backward, blocking their airway. This blockage can occur from 10-100 times an hour for up to 90 seconds at a time. Experiencing 15-30 OSA events per hour is considered having moderate sleep apnea. During these episodes, there is a reduced level of oxygen exchange. OSA episodes can cause serious vital organ damage when occurring for several hours a night.
Approximately 40 million adults suffer from some form of OSA, and up to 90% of those individuals are undiagnosed. Fortunately, physicians and dentists can work together to find the best solution to treat OSA with the goal of maintaining a positive, unobstructed airway throughout the night. If you suspect you may have OSA, our dentists in Gainesville can help to improve your overall health by getting you back to having a healthy night’s sleep.