A person who has sleep apnea, a potentially dangerous sleep disorder, experiences several prolonged pauses in breathing during sleep, according to the Mayo Clinic. The more common type of sleep apnea, obstructive sleep apnea, can be treated with oral appliances that are designed to keep the user’s throat open.
Step 1
Talk to your doctor. An oral device is one of the easiest ways to treat sleep apnea but is not right for everyone. Some of the more severe cases of sleep apnea require breathing devices or surgery, so it is important that the severity of your condition is assessed before the use of a mouth piece is considered, according to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.
Step 2
Decide between buying a ready-made mouthpiece or having your dentist or orthodontist make you a custom-fit device. The advantage in the ready-made models is that they are more affordable, but you may find that a custom-made fitting brings you greater relief and comfort.
Step 3
Schedule regular appointments with your doctor or dentist to ensure that the mouthpiece you have selected fits your needs. Do not feel discouraged if, at first, you do not find the treatment you receive effective. People who suffer from sleep apnea often have to experiment with several oral devices before finding those that fit them.
Step 4
The Mayo clinic recommends that you see your doctor or dentist every six months during the first year of treatment, and once a year from then on. These visits are needed to assess whether your mouthpiece is still as effective as when you first received it.
Tips and Warnings
- Sleeping on your side or stomach may provide additional help, since your throat is less likely to be blocked in those positions.
- The treatment given to you is not guaranteed to work right away, so be careful when operating heavy machinery, because sleep apnea makes you more prone to having accidents.
Things You'll Need
- Oral appliance
