Having Trouble with Your CPAP? There May Be Another Way

Having Trouble with Your CPAP? There May Be Another Way

Are you looking for CPAP-free sleep apnea solutions? You know that continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) treatment is the doctor-recommended way to treat your obstructive sleep apnea, so why isn’t it working for you? Your doctor told you that most patients can adjust to the CPAP device, so why can’t you make it work? Every night you try to keep the mask in place, but by morning the straps have been removed and the facemask is on the floor! It’s enough to drive you mad with frustration.

If this sounds familiar, take comfort in the fact that you are not alone. Many patients have difficulty adjusting to a CPAP. For some, the mask is uncomfortable, or isn’t compatible with their normal range of movement and sleeping positions. Other patients cannot get used to the sound or the feeling of the mask over their nose. Maybe the straps are uncomfortable, or the feeling of continuous air pressure just feels odd to you. Some patients have no idea what the problem may be, but they find themselves removing the mask in their sleep every night!

If you suffer from obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), there may be an alternative solution. San Diego dentist Dr. David Eshom provides dental sleep medicine for patients whose OSA is not sufficiently controlled by other treatments. Call us at (858) 455-9151 to make an appointment.

OSA is caused by the over-relaxation of the soft tissues that make up the airway passage. As the airway is obstructed, vibrations occur and snoring is a common result of this process. Using a thin, customized oral appliance, we can change the position of the jaw to encourage the airway to stay open when you sleep at night. An oral appliance is made from a thin piece of molded plastic, which fits between the teeth to gently move the jaw forward slightly. Most patients do not notice any discomfort when wearing the appliance, and many have found relief from their OSA symptoms by using it.

If you have ever worn a night guard to prevent bruxism, or a dental retainer to extend the results of your orthodontic treatment, for example—you can probably wear an oral appliance without issue. If you’ve been unsuccessful with the CPAP solution, it’s certainly worth your time to give an oral appliance a try!

Visit Our San Diego Office to Learn More

If you are ready to learn more about CPAP-free sleep apnea treatment, call our San Diego dental office to schedule an appointment with Dr. David Eshom. If you’ve been through a sleep study and have a positive diagnosis, Dr. Eshom will ask you to sign a release form authorizing him to see a copy of the study. Once he has reviewed your medical record, he can examine your mouth and take a dental impression. The oral appliance will be customized to fit the precise dimensions of your mouth for ultimate comfort and slimness.

Oral Appliances for Snoring

If you’ve been through a sleep study and do not suffer from sleep apnea, an oral appliance may provide relief from chronic snoring. Even if your snoring is not connected to apnea events, it still may be affecting the quality of your sleep, as well as your dental health. (Not to mention your partner’s quality of rest!)

Did you know that night-time mouth breathers are more likely to suffer from sore throats and dental problems? Snoring can leave your mouth feeling dried out, which isn’t good for your teeth. We naturally produce less saliva in our sleep, even with our mouths closed, but breathing through the mouth can leave your teeth even drier, and therefore more susceptible to bacterial damage.

Breathing through your nose is always healthier for your whole body, as it gives your lungs greater contact with the oxygen you inhale. Breathing through the mouth releases oxygen faster and leads to less optimal functioning of all your major organs. An oral appliance may help you sleep better with your mouth closed—for less snoring and better health, all around.

Visit our dental practice to learn more about oral appliances for snoring and sleep apnea. Call us at (858) 455-9151 to make an appointment.