Sleep apnea is a common condition that affects a person’s ability to breathe while sleeping. An individual who has sleep apnea might pause breathing for seconds or longer while they are asleep. This can lead to excessive snoring, daytime fatigue, and other health issues. Fortunately, if you’re seeking sleep apnea treatment near you, oral appliances for sleep apnea can be of benefit in improving sleep and health for many.
What Are Oral Appliances for Sleep Apnea?
Oral appliances are small devices that a dentist can fit inside your mouth. They are designed to keep your airway open while you sleep. These devices are often used as a treatment for mild to moderate sleep apnea. They can also help people who snore a lot. Your dentist will make sure the oral appliance fits comfortably and works correctly.
How Oral Appliances Help With Sleep Apnea
Oral appliances help with sleep apnea or snoring by preventing the soft tissues in your throat from blocking your airway while sleeping. This keeps your airway open to allow you to breathe normally. It reduces snoring and halts the pauses in breathing that occur with sleep apnea by improving airflow. Many patients report improved sleep quality and reduced daytime sleepiness after using an oral appliance. If you would like to learn more or be fitted for one, a dentist in Mississauga can help you choose the right oral appliance for your unique needs.
Here is a quick look at how oral appliances help
| Benefit | How It Helps |
| Keeps the airway open | Moves the jaw or tongue to prevent blockage |
| Reduces snoring | Opens airflow so vibrations in the throat tissue are reduced |
| Improves sleep | Reduces pauses in breathing, allowing deeper sleep |
| Easy to use | Small, custom-fit, comfortable to wear |
| Portable | Can travel with you, unlike CPAP machines |
Who Can Use Oral Appliances?
Not everyone with sleep apnea can use an oral appliance. The dentist will check your teeth, jaw joint, and airway to verify whether it is an appropriate option. Oral appliances are often recommended for persons with mild to moderate sleep apnea, and they are often a good option for people who do not tolerate CPAP machines.
Tips for Using Oral Appliances
- Visit the dentist regularly: The dentist will check and adjust, as required, the fit of the device.
- Clean the device every day: Use a toothbrush and mild soap, or denture cleaner to maintain hygiene.
- Wear it every night: Consistency will provide the best results.
- Monitor your sleep: The dentist may want you to track the amount of snoring and daytime sleepiness you have. The dentist may also want you to do a follow-up sleep study, if necessary, to get more diagnostic sleep apnea information.
Why See a Dentist for Your Sleep Apnea?
Even though sleep apnea is a breathing problem, your dentist is often the perfect professional to help. That’s because these appliances work by changing the position of your teeth and jaw. They are experts in the mouth!
A dentist who specializes in sleep medicine will
- Make sure the custom-made device fits your mouth exactly.
- Adjust the device slowly to find the perfect, comfortable spot that keeps your airway open.
- Check your teeth, gums, and jaw joint (called the TMJ) to make sure the device won’t cause any problems.
By seeking a dentist to provide you with treatment with an oral appliance for sleep apnea near you, you are choosing an easy-to-use, quiet solution to get your breathing back on track, along with stopping the loud snoring, thus waking up refreshed!
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If you notice that you are struggling with snoring or sleep apnea, it is crucial to seek professional help. At IONA Dental Office, our dentist can help you evaluate your condition and recommend sleep apnea oral appliances. An oral appliance is a simple method to manage sleep apnea while helping your overall health.
Schedule a consultation at IONA Dental Office today to get your personalized oral appliance and start sleeping better tonight!