Can mouthguards worsen sleep apnea?

However, anyone considering the use of a night guard should be aware of the appliance’s possible risks — namely, that it can worsen sleep disorders like sleep apnea, which often go undiagnosed but have life-altering consequences.

Is a night guard good for sleep apnea?

Prescribing a night guard to a person with sleep apnea will stop the teeth from becoming damaged, but will not address the much more serious issue of keeping the person breathing at night.

How much does a sleep apnea mouth guard cost?

Mouthpieces and other oral appliances can help treat mild to moderate sleep apnea and snoring. The average cost for a sleep apnea mouth guard ranges from $1,800 to $2,000. This includes the appliance, dental visits, and follow-ups. Many health insurance companies will cover the expense.

Can Nightguard cause snoring?

These night guards have to be remade several times due to breakage due to traumatic occlusion. Another major problem is that these flat plane night guards encourage the lower jaw to fall back at night which increases the rate of snoring and degree of life threatening sleep apnea by over 40\%.

Do nasal strips work for sleep apnea?

The short answer is no. In fact, this exact question has been recently studied by Dr. Clete Kushida and his group. They found that nasal strips did not actually increase REM sleep cycles, oxygen intake during sleep, or most importantly, nasal strips did not decrease patients’ sleep apnea symptoms.

Is there a way to treat sleep apnea without a CPAP?

Treatments for sleep apnea If CPAP isn’t for you, a few other OSA treatment options include: an oral appliance. bilevel positive airway pressure (BiPAP) nasal valve therapy.

What is the difference between a mouth guard and a night guard?

It’s not uncommon for patients to confuse sports guards with night guards. While both of these oral appliances protect your teeth, they do so in different ways. A sports guard or mouth guard protects your smile while playing contact sports. A night guard stops you from grinding or clenching teeth while you sleep.

Are mouthguards safe to sleep in?

Unfortunately, it also traps bacteria against the surface of your gums while you sleep. It’s fine to cover your gums for an hour or two but not 8 hours a night, 7 nights a week. That’s why you can wear your sports mouth guard for a game or practice, but not while you sleep.