Using oral appliances to treat sleep apnea and snoring

Snoring and sleep apnea are two common disorders that can be treated with oral appliances. The Sleep Wise device, made of metal, plastic or silicone, attaches to the back of the wearer’s teeth and straps around the head. It gently presses against the soft tissues in the mouth to keep them open while the person sleeps. Over time, this may stop snoring and improve sleep quality.

Causes of snoring and sleep apnea

Snoring and sleep apnea are two common problems that can affect your sleep. Snoring is when you make noise while breathing, and sleep apnea is when you stop breathing briefly while asleep.

Symptoms of snoring and sleep apnea

When most people think of snoring, they think of a harmless annoyance. However, snoring can signify a more serious condition called sleep apnea. Suppose you are experiencing any of the following symptoms. In that case, you may have sleep apnea like snoring loudly, gasping or choking during sleep, difficulty staying asleep, excessive daytime drowsiness, and morning headaches. It is important to see your doctor if you are experiencing any of these symptoms, as they may be indicative of a more severe problem.

Sleep apnea and snoring oral appliance therapy

 Using a custom-made device to keep the airway open, oral appliance therapy is a treatment option for both conditions. Studies have shown that oral appliance therapy effectively reduces snoring and improves sleep quality in people with sleep apnea.

How oral appliance therapy works

Oral appliance therapy is one of the most common treatments for obstructive sleep apnea. This therapy effectively treats obstructive sleep apnea and improves your quality of life.

Risks of oral appliance therapy

Obstructive sleep apnea is typically treated with oral appliance therapy. A specially constructed gadget that fits within the mouth is used to keep the airway open. Below are some risks are associated with its use.

These include:

• Dental problems – Using an oral appliance can cause dental problems such as tooth decay, gum disease, and TMJ dysfunction.
• Jaw pain – Some people experience jaw pain or discomfort when wearing an oral appliance.
• Difficulty breathing – In rare cases, people may find breathing difficult when wearing an oral appliance.
• Allergic reactions – Some people may experience allergic reactions to the materials used in oral appliances.

Benefits of oral appliance therapy

Sleep Wise offers a therapy option for obstructive sleep apnea that is gaining popularity. Oral appliances are small, custom-made devices that fit snugly into the mouth and keep the airway open while you sleep. Obstructive sleep apnea patients suffering from mild to moderate symptoms may benefit from oral appliances instead of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP).