Sleep isn’t always easy to come by, and sometimes it can be hard to get your full eight hours every night. If you’re having problems with insomnia, or even just trouble winding down at the end of the day, you might not know that Oral Appliance Therapy (OAT) could be a great option for you.
Improving your sleep habits and relieving your stress and anxiety levels, both of which can make it easier to fall asleep and stay asleep throughout the night. Sleepwise can help you learn more about OAT and find an oral appliance provider near you.
The TMJ connects the jawbone to the skull and can become misaligned due to various factors like teeth grinding, stress, or jaw injuries. And one of the treatments for this is Botox for TMJ. Your dentist will evaluate your symptoms and develop an appropriate treatment plan to alleviate discomfort and restore proper jaw function.
1) Bad Breath
Bad breath (or halitosis) can cause your social life to suffer. It’s one of those things that people don’t bring up in polite conversation because it makes everyone feel uncomfortable. If you have bad breath, however, you know how upsetting and frustrating it can be.
Whether your bad breath is a symptom of an underlying issue or simply caused by poor oral hygiene, it’s important to get evaluated for oral appliances so you can start living a more fulfilling life without fearing rejection from loved ones.
2) A Sore Jaw
Feeling pain in your jaw or head when you sleep? That could be because you have TMJ, a condition that affects your temporomandibular joint (TMJ). This happens when there’s a misalignment between your mouth and face. In some cases, if you don’t treat it properly, it can lead to major health problems like anxiety and depression.
If you experience chronic headaches sore jaw or popping sounds when chewing food, visit a dental professional for an evaluation on oral appliance therapy. Dental professionals who are trained to make and fit these appliances are known as orthodontists.
3) Sleep Disruption
A dental appliance, such as a tongue retainer or bite splint, can help you sleep better at night and perform better during your day. If your snoring is keeping you from enjoying a good night’s rest or disrupting someone else’s sleep, an oral appliance might be just what you need.
While wearing one at night may seem uncomfortable at first, it will likely only take about a week for you to adjust to it. Wearing an oral appliance can also reduce jaw pain caused by TMJ disorder, prevent headaches and migraines due to muscle tension in your face, head and neck area, and improve other symptoms of conditions such as sleep apnea.
4) Pain In The Mouth Or Jaw
Dental problems can have a big impact on your life and even lead to other health complications. Take headaches for example. Chronic headaches are often caused by dental problems, since some people may be clenching or grinding their teeth at night due to pain in their mouth. If you’re suffering from chronic head pain, it might be wise to see an oral-health professional like a dentist or orthodontist who can properly diagnose and treat your problem.
Seeing these professionals might make all of the difference in your quality of life, as well as help you avoid other serious health issues down the road. Don’t live with chronic pain when it could be prevented by taking care of your smile!
5) Headaches
Do you wake up with a sore, stuffy, or runny nose regularly? Try wearing an oral appliance to sleep and see if that helps alleviate nasal congestion. Most people with mild sleep apnea don’t realize they’re experiencing it. This is because their airway rarely gets completely blocked when sleeping, causing them to experience only slight symptoms of snoring or mild nighttime breathing problems.
But for some people, these mild symptoms are severe enough to disrupt their nightly sleep and even cause headaches in the morning. Sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) also increases your risk of developing high blood pressure and heart disease as well as mood disorders including depression, anxiety, and fatigue. To avoid these conditions and more, talk to your dentist about oral appliance therapy.
6) Difficulty Chewing Food And Swallowing
Your jaw has enough to do without having to deal with a mouthful of food that it can’t process. If you’re experiencing difficulty chewing and swallowing, you could have a misaligned bite (malocclusion) or be suffering from oral myofunctional disorder (OMD).
An oral appliance can help correct these issues by gently moving your jaw into place while restoring balance and alignment. If you experience pain while chewing or notice that food is getting caught along your gum line, schedule an appointment with your dentist right away; these signs could indicate something more serious.
7) Difficulty Speaking Clearly
People with jaw problems, such as a misaligned bite, often have trouble clearly articulating sounds. This can affect several other parts of your life your work, your relationships, and even your diet.
If you’re having trouble speaking clearly, visit an orthodontist to see if oral appliances are right for you. While many people think these devices are only used by dentists, there is a wide range of ways that oral appliance therapy can help improve how you talk and eat.
8) Grinding Teeth (Bruxism) At Night
The grinding of teeth or clenching of the jaw at night is a common sleep-related problem that often goes unnoticed, but it can have serious effects on your overall oral health. If you are grinding your teeth during sleep, call our office right away.
We can provide an oral appliance that will stop bruxism before it becomes worse and may lead to TMJ disorder and more serious dental issues. If you suspect you might be grinding at night but want to talk with someone before you visit our office, just ask us for a free consultation we’d be happy to talk with you about your concerns over coffee or lunch!
9) Not Treating Your Gums Properly
Gums that aren’t properly cared for, tend to recede from your teeth, making it easier for cavities and other issues to form. If you notice your gums are puffy or irritated, see a dentist immediately.
Dentists can help with gingivitis or a more serious issue called periodontal disease. And no, it’s not too early periodontal disease is preventable through regular brushing and flossing as well as routine dental checkups.
Conclusion
If you’re unsure whether you might need an oral appliance, consider speaking with a dentist. They can talk with you about your symptoms and run tests to identify what is causing them. The most common way of treating sleep apnea is with an oral appliance, but treatment options vary from one patient to another your best bet is to discuss your options with a dental professional and find out which treatment will be best for you. After all, it’s better to get started early than never!