When people first start treating their sleep apnea, they often find that they don’t get better sleep right away. That’s because it usually takes people a while to adjust to their CPAP machine; in many circumstances, they never quite get used to wearing a mask to bed.
Oral appliances are often a much more comfortable option for patients who aren’t thrilled about the prospect of a CPAP machine. However, even this can take some getting used to; here are some ways to make that process easier.
Time
In many circumstances, the best thing you can do to get used to your oral appliance is to wait. Make sure that you’re wearing it consistently every night and eventually you’ll adapt, and you might even struggle to sleep without it.
In the meantime, try and get to sleep however you can. You might talk to your dentist or doctor about taking melatonin, or even making use of a prescription sleeping pill for a short period of time. This could make it easier to get through the adjustment period.
Overtime
Some patients struggle to wear their oral appliance for any amount of time. For example, you might have a strong gag reflex that makes putting anything on your teeth or changing the position of your jaw difficult.
In this case, you could find some time during the day to wear your oral appliance. Practice relaxing and breathing through your nose until you can do it naturally without any issues.
Talk to your Dentist
If you find that you just can’t get used to your oral appliance no matter how hard you try, it could be a good idea to talk to your dentist about the issue. They will typically have a better sense of what you can do to make the process of adjusting easier. In some circumstances, it may even be necessary to modify your oral appliance in order to fix your issue. That said, only a dentist who knows your situation will be able to make that call.
About the Author
Dr. David J. Drummond has never liked going to the dentist himself, so he knows perfectly well how it feels to be nervous getting dental care. That empathy for his patients informs his work, motivating him to make his care as comfortable and efficient as it can be. Dr. Drummond received his dental degree from the Northwestern University Dental School in Chicago and honed his skills in the United States Army Dental Corps before opening his private practice in 1988.
If you have any questions about your oral appliance, he can be reached at his website or by phone at (580) 355-0344.