Obstructive sleep apnea can negatively impact many aspects of your overall health and wellbeing. If you suffer from obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) a dental appliance may help you to reduce your symptoms and sleep better.
If you have been diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea, dental appliances are available from your dentist that may help to reduce the symptoms of mild to moderate obstructive sleep apnea.
Dental appliances made to treat sleep apnea gently hold your tongue and jaw towards the front of your mouth to help prevent your airway from becoming blocked. These appliances are easy to use, simply fit your appliance over your teeth when you are heading off to bed and go to sleep.
There are two main types of dental appliances available to help reduce the symptoms of sleep apnea: fixed dental appliances, (not adjustable but may offer relief of your sleep apnea symptoms) and adjustable dental appliances which are custom-fitted to the size and shape of your mouth by your dentist.
Comfort is essential when it comes to dental appliances. If your appliance is ill fitting or uncomfortable, you may avoid wearing it altogether, and it can't work if you don't wear it. Custom-fitted dental appliances are typically more comfortable because they better fit the shape of your mouth.
At Guildford Smiles Dentistry our Surrey dentists can fit your sleep apnea dental appliance so that it is comfortable to wear and works properly. If you currently have a dental appliance that is painful or uncomfortable to wear, speak to your dentist, they can help.
That said, it's important to note that any kind of dental appliance takes time to get used to. When you first begin using your sleep apnea dental appliance you may experience some minor difficulties chewing or mild jaw discomfort however, these issues should clear up quickly with continued use of the appliance.