People with sleep apnea often wake up in the morning feeling tired even though they have been in their bed all night. The condition causes them to be disrupted from their sleep repeatedly. Sleep apnea is caused by a cycle of breathing cessation. The people who suffer from the condition stop breathing when the soft tissues of their throat collapse, blocking their airway. As the brain receives signals from the body that respiration has ceased, it signals the body to wake up.

Many people with sleep apnea receive relief from CPAP machines. The devices supply a constant but gentle flow of air that is directed toward the nose to encourage the patient to breathe continuously throughout the night. Nevertheless, sleep apnea sufferers who use CPAP devices may prefer to have their condition treated with an oral appliance instead. Here are a few reasons why.

An Oral Appliance May Be More Comfortable

The dentist creates a mold or impression of your mouth to serve as a guide for the fabrication of an oral appliance. As a result, the device is customized specifically for you. The appliance rests comfortably in your mouth, offering support to the soft tissues and preventing the tongue from collapsing into the throat.

Unlike a CPAP machine, the oral appliance does not require a mask that is worn over the face as you sleep. As a result, many people find it to be much more comfortable to use as they rest.

An Oral Appliance Is Easily Transported

An oral appliance can be placed in a small case and carried about in a similar manner to a retainer or other small dental unit. On the contrary, a CPAP machine is generally quite bulky. The device includes a mask, but it also includes a large component that rests on a nightstand or other piece of adjacent furniture to generate air and pass it through a tube to the connected mask.

If you need to travel, it can be cumbersome to take along such a large device, especially if you are traveling by air and there are luggage restrictions.

An Oral Appliance Does Not Require a Power Source

An oral appliance does not need a power source in order to work. However, CPAP machines require batteries or a power outlet. If the machine operates solely by a power cord, problems may arise if you are traveling out of the country and the outlet plugs in that area of the world differ.

To learn more about sleep apnea oral appliances and how they can be used to help you sleep soundly through the night, schedule a consultation with a dentist in your local area.