{"id":361,"date":"2024-11-15T17:56:25","date_gmt":"2024-11-15T17:56:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.sleepbetterflorida.com\/blog\/?p=361"},"modified":"2024-12-24T17:57:03","modified_gmt":"2024-12-24T17:57:03","slug":"tips-to-help-you-adjust-to-your-oral-appliance","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.sleepbetterflorida.com\/blog\/2024\/11\/15\/tips-to-help-you-adjust-to-your-oral-appliance\/","title":{"rendered":"Sweet Dreams Ahead: Tips for Adjusting to Your Oral Appliance"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\"Patient<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

If you\u2019ve recently started using an oral appliance<\/a> for sleep apnea, congratulations on taking an important step toward better health! Your custom-fitted device will help keep your airway open while you sleep, reducing snoring and improving your breathing over time. However, like any new routine, it may take some time to adjust. If you\u2019re struggling, continue reading. You\u2019ll find some helpful advice to make your transition as smooth as possible!<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

Be Patient<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Getting used to your oral appliance won\u2019t happen overnight. For a little while, you may feel some discomfort or pressure as your jaw adjusts. This is completely normal and should subside within a week or two.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Until then, be patient with yourself and trust the process. It\u2019s easy to get frustrated, especially if you\u2019re experiencing some discomfort. However, it\u2019s important to be consistent. If you\u2019re still unable to adjust after three weeks, call your sleep dentist to diagnose the issue.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Clean Your Appliance Regularly<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Your oral appliance needs regular cleaning to stay in good condition and to prevent bacteria buildup. Otherwise, it can get unpleasant to wear it for long periods of time!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So, rinse your appliance thoroughly with warm (not hot) water and then use a soft-bristled toothbrush and mild hand soap to give it a good scrub every morning. Always allow the appliance to dry before putting it back in its case!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Follow Your Adjustment Schedule<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Your sleep dentist may provide you with a schedule for gradually increasing the wear time of your oral appliance. Follow this closely! It\u2019s best to start out wearing your device for a few hours before bed to get used to having it in your mouth. Over time, your jaw will adjust and you\u2019ll eventually move to wearing it through the night without issues.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Stay Hydrated<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Dry mouth, or lack of saliva, can make wearing anything over your teeth and gums more uncomfortable. This can be especially true during colder months when the air tends to be drier. To make sure your salivary glands stay stimulated and productive, drink water throughout the day. Just be sure to end your hydration around an hour before bedtime to avoid having to get up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

By following these guidelines, you\u2019ll be well on your way to more restful nights with your oral appliance! If you need more guidance, call your sleep dentist. They\u2019ll be more than happy to answer your questions and help you stay on track with your treatment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

About the Author<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

If you need better sleep in Wesley Chapel, Dr. Jay A. Nelson<\/a> is a knowledgeable sleep dentist who\u2019s ready to help. He earned his dental doctorate from the University of Pennsylvania, eventually focusing on sleep-related issues like sleep apnea and snoring. Today, Dr. Nelson is an active member of three separate sleep dentistry organizations! Call (813) 733-4169 to schedule a consultation with our team at Nelson Dental Sleep Medicine or visit our website<\/a> to learn more.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

If you\u2019ve recently started using an oral appliance for sleep apnea, congratulations on taking an important step toward better health! Your custom-fitted device will help keep your airway open while you sleep, reducing snoring and improving your breathing over time. However, like any new routine, it may take some time to adjust. If you\u2019re struggling, […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-361","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.sleepbetterflorida.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/361","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.sleepbetterflorida.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.sleepbetterflorida.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sleepbetterflorida.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sleepbetterflorida.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=361"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.sleepbetterflorida.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/361\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":365,"href":"https:\/\/www.sleepbetterflorida.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/361\/revisions\/365"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.sleepbetterflorida.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=361"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sleepbetterflorida.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=361"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sleepbetterflorida.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=361"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}