Sleep Apnea Mouthpiece

Thanks for visiting our Sleep apnea mouthpiece page. Sleep apnea and snoring can be distressing conditions and it is our aim to educate sufferers to help alleviate the condition.

Sponsored Links

What is Sleep Apnea

Sleep Apnea is a condition that affects many people to some extent. For some it is a minor irritation, for others, a life threatening condition. It is one of a number of sleep disorders, and is recognized by the pauses in breathing that occur during the night, resulting in one or more breath cycles being completely missed. Every episode is known as an 'apnea' which was taken from the Greek meaning 'to breath'. The agreed clinical definition is when the pause in breathing occurs for ten seconds or longer. If this is combined with neurological arousal and/or a desaturation in the blood's oxygen levels, an 'apnea' is said to have occurred.

Many suffers go for many years before a diagnosis actually occurs. The daytime sleepiness and chronic tiredness become an accepted part of the suffers life and they fail to act, or even realize there is a problem. It is often the sufferers partner that makes them aware of their night time habits.

An overnight sleep study is generally considered the best way to diagnose sleep apnea, and you should visit your health professional is you are concerned. Many users with mild sleep apnea, or even snoring conditions (which are often related) use a sleep apnea mouthpiece or some other anti snoring aids to help reduce the severity of the condition. In mild cases, the apnea or snoring may be completely eliminated with such a device.

How Does A Sleep Apnea Mouthpiece Work

Sleep apnea happens when the soft tissues in the mouth and throat relax, collapsing and temporarily block the airway, preventing the free flow of air. A sleep apnea mouthpiece works by fitting inside the mouth and preventing those soft tissues and tongue from obstructing the sufferers airway. In cases of mild to moderate sleep apnea, they have been shown to be very effective in reducing or preventing the episodes. There are quite a few different designs on the market, some which work slightly differently, but all achieving the same end result. We will take a look at a couple of the more popular designs. All these products have their advantages and limitations, so if you are unsure, speak to your doctor.

There can be some minor side effects with these apnea devices, but most are minor discomfort rather than a serious problem. For more serious sleep apnea conditions, a CPAP machine can offer relief. We will discus those in a future article.

Sponsored Links

Sleep Apnea Mouthpiece Designs

Sleep Apnea Mouthpieces fall into two broad categories.

Mandibular Advancement Appliances

These are the types of oral appliances that are most commonly seen and used. They fit snuggly in the mouth and push the tongue and lower jaw forward a little, similar to how the 'recovery position' used in first aid works. By this action, the airway is kept clear and the apnea or snoring is reduced. They are also referred to as a 'stop snoring mouthpiece' as the clearer airway reduces the snoring condition extremely effectively.

Tongue Retainer

These types of mouthpieces are every effective . They actually engage the tongue and hold it in a forward position so that the airway cannot be obstructed as the mouth muscles relax during sleep. They are not favored as much as the mandibular advancement device, mainly due to the fact that they take a little longer to get used to.

Side Effects

There has been much research published into side effects of wearing sleep apnea and snoring devices. These are primarily related to the possibility of mild discomfort in the teeth and jaws when the appliance is new and not broken in properly. You can get a dental appliance made by your dentist which should be a perfect, and comfortable fit. The off the shelf devices just need to be fitted correctly when first used, and should then provide little or no discomfort at all. When first used, the appliances are generally placed in very hot water to soften the plastic materials. When it is sufficiently soft (see manufacturers instructions) it is placed in the mouth where you bite on the device to allow it to fit to your individual features. Be aware that many people experience no discomfort at all, and the benefits often outweigh any initial mild discomfort that may be felt.

We hope this brief summary of the oral devices available for sleep apnea has helped you. It is a condition that can be treated, and if you are a mild sufferer, you may get all the relief you need with a sleep apnea mouthpiece.