5 Benefits Offered By Oral Appliance Therapy
ShareSleep apnea doesn't just deprive you of a good night's sleep. It also leaves you feeling moody, cloudy-headed, and fatigued throughout the day. Fortunately, if you suffer from sleep apnea and you aren't comfortable with a CPAP machine, then oral appliance therapy is an easy alternative that offers several benefits.
1. Non-invasive and comfortable
Oral appliance therapy does take a little getting used to at first. But because the oral appliances work like mouthguards, they are easy to wear and much less invasive than CPAP therapy, which can sometimes leave patients feeling claustrophobic. Before nodding off to sleep, you simply insert your oral appliance and make yourself comfortable.
2. Better night's sleep for you and your partner
There are two types of oral appliance from which to choose. A tongue-retaining appliance works by stopping your tongue from slipping back into your throat. And a mandibular advancement device (MAD) works by stopping the soft tissues of your throat from collapsing as you sleep.
In both cases, patients snore and struggle for breath while they sleep. This keeps both the patient and their partner from getting a good night's sleep. The right oral appliance can stop snoring and allow you and your partner to sleep peacefully.
3. Improvement in your mood
Sleep apnea sufferers often complain of mood swings throughout the day due to the lack of sleep they get at night. This can affect their personal and work relationships. Fortunately, an oral appliance can allow you to sleep well and thus improve your mood during the day.
4. Improved concentration levels
Sleep apnea sufferers also struggle to concentrate during the day due to the stress their brain suffers while they sleep. This can have a severe impact on your work and day-to-day life. Oral appliance therapy allows you to sleep normally without the frequent interruptions that sleep apnea causes. As a result, you'll be able to concentrate better at work and have improved cognitive function.
5. Easy to take with you wherever you go
Oral appliances are the same size as mouthguards, which makes them easy to carry with you wherever you go. If, for instance, you go on holiday for a week, you'll be able to pack your oral appliance in your hand luggage. The same cannot be said for a CPAP device, which is large and unwieldy.
Do you suffer from sleep apnea? Then you can benefit from sleep apnea oral appliance therapy. Speak to your dentist today to find out if you qualify for this type of treatment.