If your sleep dentist has provided you with a custom-fitting oral sleep apnea appliance, congratulations! Many patients love these devices as an alternative solution to cumbersome CPAP machines, and you’ll likely experience sleep relief soon.
Taking proper care of your appliance is crucial for being able to enjoy its benefits for longer. Plus, since it stays in your mouth at night, it can get pretty gross! Don’t worry, though – this post will tell you everything you need to know about oral appliance maintenance.
The first step starts before you even put in your anti-sleep apnea device. Don’t wear it until and settle down for bed until you’ve brushed and flossed your teeth! The plaque and bacteria you’ve accumulated throughout the day can harden around your appliance, clogging any moveable pieces and making it more brittle. Harmful debris can also get trapped underneath your appliance, increasing your risk of cavities and infection.
Similarly, gross bacteria and plaque builds up on your sleep apnea appliance as you sleep. After you take it out in the morning, give it a thorough scrubbing with a soft-bristled toothbrush and gentle hand soap or dish soap.
What do you do with your device in the a.m. hours? As it turns out, it depends on what type of oral appliance you have. Some need to be air dried, which means storing it in a breathable container to avoid a moist, bacteria-rich environment.
Others can simply be soaked in a glass of clean water. Take note of this difference, and if you can’t remember which type of storage your device needs, don’t be afraid to ask your sleep dentist!
In either case, the container you keep your appliance in will get icky over time as well! Take care to rinse it out and clean it on a regular basis. Most sleep dentists recommend weekly washes.
These are all great tips for taking of your oral sleep apnea appliance at home. However, it’s also a good idea to have your device checked annually by your sleep dentist. They’ll be able to recognize signs of excessive wear and supply you with a replacement when necessary. Stay diligent about maintenance and trust in your sleep dentist, and you’ll enjoy a clean, effective sleep apnea appliance!
At GoTo Sleep Center, our dedicated sleep dentists understand the discomforts and complications sleep apnea can cause. We treat patients with compassion and provide quality oral appliances so that patients can rest peacefully without needing surgical intervention or a CPAP machine. If you’d like more tips for caring for your customized sleep apnea device, contact our office at 623-239-0007.
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