Gear Up for Good Sleep: Adjusting to Your Oral Appliance

Even if you want your sleep apnea to fade fast, treating it takes time. You won’t see major changes or effects until you adjust to your oral appliance. With that said, perhaps you’re wondering how you might get used to this device just a bit more quickly. You’re in luck; your sleep dentist in the Woodlands has some key advice on that front. Simply keep reading to learn relevant tips for adjusting to your oral appliance.

Your Appliance May Cause Aches at First

In the first place, you shouldn’t expect your appliance to feel “good” right away. A wearable device for sleep apnea will often cause aches at first.

Keep in mind that an oral appliance is a foreign object. When you first start wearing it, your body will feel “off” due to the device’s hard plastic and experience some discomfort. You may also drool more than usual, as your mouth may “mistake” the appliance for food and thus produce saliva. Some patients even struggle to place their device due to their strong gag reflexes.

How to Adjust to Oral Appliances Smoothly

While “instant adjustment” isn’t possible, key practices can make it easier to acclimate to your device. These actions include:

• Consistent Use – Your body will see your appliance as foreign if you only wear it sometimes. Given that fact, try to wear your device consistently.
• Daily Practice – If you actively practice with your appliance each day, it’ll feel familiar to you more quickly.
• Nose Breathing –  Try to breathe through your nose while wearing the device. That way, your throat and lungs will calm down enough to weaken your gag reflex.
• Calm Focus – Give yourself grace and take time to calmly focus on your appliance. Through this approach, you might be able to block out the device’s sensations after 2-3 weeks.

See a Sleep Dentist if Problems Persist

Ultimately, you should only talk to a sleep apnea expert (or sleep dentist) if your adjustment takes longer than three weeks. Getting professional help is warranted at that point.

Sleep apnea experts and dentists can do several things to assist you. For example, they might alter your appliance to ensure a comfier fit. Another approach is to suggest an entirely new oral appliance. Depending on your situation, you could even get more customized solutions.

Adjusting to your oral appliance isn’t always easy, but it’s a worthwhile process. Use the tips above to help it go faster!

About the Author

Dr. Robert Dernick is a sleep dentist based in The Woodlands, TX, having earned his DDS from the University of Texas Dental Branch at Houston. Given his years of experience, he has immense expertise in safe, effective, and non-invasive sleep apnea treatments. You can thus rely on him for top-tier oral appliances, which will ensure you get a good night’s rest! Today, Dr. Dernick practices at The Woodlands Dental Group and is reachable on his website and by phone at (281)-783-3419.