Do mouthguards help with sleep apnea?
Mouthguards are devices used to protect your teeth from grinding or clenching while you sleep or from injuries while you play sports. They can also help to reduce snoring and relieve obstructive sleep apnea.
Can mouthguards worsen sleep apnea?
However, anyone considering the use of a night guard should be aware of the appliance’s possible risks — namely, that it can worsen sleep disorders like sleep apnea, which often go undiagnosed but have life-altering consequences.
Can you wear a night guard if you have sleep apnea?
Prescribing a night guard to a person with sleep apnea will stop the teeth from becoming damaged, but will not address the much more serious issue of keeping the person breathing at night.
Can you choke on mouthguard?
The mouth guard cannot protect you properly if it does not fit well. It is dangerous to have a mouth guard that does not hold on to your teeth firmly. It can come off at night and choke you. You can opt to go for boil and bite mouth guards.
Is teeth grinding a symptom of sleep apnea?
A person suffering from OSA wakes up frequently during the night as their respiratory system shuts down intermittently and disturbs their breathing patterns. The National Sleep Foundation estimates that one in four people with sleep apnea also show signs of bruxism or grinding of their teeth.
Is it safe to sleep with a mouthguard?
Unfortunately, it also traps bacteria against the surface of your gums while you sleep. It’s fine to cover your gums for an hour or two but not 8 hours a night, 7 nights a week. That’s why you can wear your sports mouth guard for a game or practice, but not while you sleep.
How does a custom mouthguard help with sleep apnea?
However, if you only have mild sleep apnea, a custom-made mouthguard can provide a similar effect. Instead of simply covering your teeth, a mouthguard for sleep apnea works by pushing your lower jaw and tongue forward, keeping your airway open. Some types have a strap that goes around your head and chin to re-adjust your lower jaw.
Is a mouth guard necessary for sleep apnea?
Whether a mouth guard is necessary for your sleep apnea depends on the severity of your condition. Even in cases of moderate sleep apnea, a mouth guard might help.
Is there a mouthpiece that helps with sleep apnea?
An example of this kind of sleep apnea mouthpiece is the Thornton Adjustable Positioner (TAP). Tongue retaining devices are another type of sleep apnea mouthpiece. These oral devices for sleep apnea use a splint that keeps the tongue in place to ensure that the airway remains open during sleep.
How effective are sleep apnea mouthpieces?
How Effective are Sleep Apnea Mouthpieces? Using a mouthpiece can be an extremely effective way to control sleep apnea but it’s not the only treatment and it may not be the best. It’s largely dependent on the severity of the condition. If the idea of using a mouthpiece to control sleep apnea seems strange, try to set aside your disbelief.