Sleep apnea is a growing problem that currently affects over 22 million Americans. While the most common form of treatment is for patients to wear a CPAP machine at night, it has its limitations. Thankfully, there is a more comfortable and less cumbersome alternative: a sleep appliance in Reno. It still takes some time to adjust to, though. Read on to find out about some of the common complaints, and discover what you can do to have a more comfortable experience.
Common Complaints About Oral Appliances
Because you’re likely accustomed to sleeping with nothing in your mouth at night, it can feel awkward at first to wear an appliance. Here are some of the usual complaints:
- Discomfort and Tightness – Because an oral appliance is constructed from durable plastic to fit the contour of the teeth, it creates a snug fit. This is important, though, to prevent the appliance from falling out at night.
- Drooling – A natural reaction to wearing the appliance is for the mouth to generate more saliva, as it can mistake it for food.
- Gagging – Some patients may experience a gag reflex when the appliance is inserted.
- Nighttime Removals – Other patients unconsciously remove the appliance at night as part of an innate reaction to having a foreign object in their mouth.
The good news is that these challenges can be overcome.
Tips for Getting Use to the Appliance
The main factor in recovering from the above issues is time. Basically, you just have to continue wearing your appliance on a consistent basis and allow your body to naturally adjust. As the brain learns to accommodate the changes, it will send out the appropriate messages to the rest of the body so you can have a more comfortable experience.
This can usually take two to three weeks to happen. Here are two tips to help with the transition:
- Wear the appliance for short periods throughout the day.
- Breathe through your nose and let your body relax.
By taking these simple steps and remaining patient, you should start to see some results.
What if These Tips Don’t Work?
After three weeks, if you’re still having issues with your oral appliance, then you should bring it to your sleep dentist’s attention. The specialist may be able to make the necessary adjustments. However, if that doesn’t work, a new appliance can be fabricated.
What’s most important to remember is that there is a way to recover from sleep apnea in Reno. By receiving the expert care of your sleep dentist and following the above suggestions, you can look forward to more restful nights!
About the Author
Dr. Robert J. Houchin earned his dental degree from Georgetown University. He has since gone on to provide over 44 years of superb dental care. Along the way, Dr. Houchin has taken countless hours of continuing education, which includes advanced training in treating sleep apnea. He provides patients with sleep appliances to help them rest better at Summit Boulevard Dental, and he can be reached for more information through his website.