Struggling to Adjust to Your Oral Appliance? Check Out These Tips!

Sleep apnea is a common disorder that affects many people. Despite its prevalence, most people refuse to seek treatment because they either don’t think it’s a big deal or they want to avoid using a loud, clunky machine at night. Fortunately, oral appliance therapy is a modern solution that has proven to be highly effective at correcting the disorder. Of course, it can take some time to get used to your new device, especially if you’ve never used one before. Read on to learn what to expect and some tips to help you adjust to your oral appliance.

What Are Common Issues with New Oral Appliances?

Initially, your body may have some odd reactions to your oral appliance because it’s not used to the foreign object. Some common issues people experience include:

• Discomfort: At first, you may notice tightness because of the hard plastic. That’s actually a good thing because it means the snug fit will lower the chances of your oral appliance falling out.
• Drooling: Your mouth may produce more saliva than usual because it will mistake the oral appliance for food.
• Gagging: Some people may have trouble keeping the oral appliance in their mouth if they have a strong gag reflex.
• Nighttime Removals: There are cases where a patient unconsciously removes their oral appliance at night because they’re not used to them. Some people may even throw it across the room!

How to Get Through the Adjustment Period

The best way to overcome any of the issues listed above is simply by wearing your oral appliance every night. Eventually, your brain will get used to the device and you’ll be able to block out feelings of discomfort. Over time, you’ll notice your saliva production returning to normal and nighttime removals will be a thing of the past. All in all, it takes about two to three weeks to get used to your new device. You can speed up the adjustment process by wearing your appliance for short periods throughout the day. One day you’ll realize you comfortably wore your device all night long!

What to Do If You Can’t Adjust

Still haven’t adjusted even after a few weeks of consistent use? Be sure to contact your sleep dentist right away. They’ll evaluate you and identify the underlying problem. Depending on the issue at hand, they may make necessary adjustments to your oral appliance or suggest you get a new one altogether.

Ultimately, time is your best friend throughout the adjustment period. Before you know it, you’ll be sleeping like a baby with your oral appliance!

About the Practice

At Better Sleep Eugene, we offer effective solutions for sleep apnea to help people enjoy more restful shuteye. Our goal is to help patients take back control of their sleep apnea and quality of life. If you’re struggling to adjust to your oral appliance, don’t hesitate to ask us for more tips. You can make an appointment via our website or call (541) 485-0272.