According to the American Medical Association and Johns Hopkins Medicine, sleep apnea affects about 30 million people in the United States, but only 6 million are diagnosed with the condition that could lead to life-threatening consequences.
While many people choose to use a CPAP machine to help them sleep through the night, your sleep dentist can offer alternatives known as oral appliances.
These mouthguard-like devices push the bottom jaw slightly forward, allowing for better airflow while you’re asleep. They can be invaluable for treatment of the disorder. Read on to learn how to take care of your oral appliance so it can better serve your needs.