If you celebrate Thanksgiving with a big meal followed by a few hours of watching football on TV, you may end up snoozing on the couch. If you have sleep apnea, though, your slumber won’t feel very restful. Your airway will become blocked while you sleep, causing you to gasp for breath. This causes you to snore, which is annoying to you and to others. Worse, apnea has been linked to serious health issues like high blood pressure. The good news is, you can get relief with a sleep appliance.

More severe cases of sleep apnea may require a CPAP, a machine that clears your airway with a stream of pressurized air while you sleep. But many folks can use an appliance instead. It simply moves your jaw forward slightly, into a position that keeps your airway open. 

We can measure you for a custom-made appliance, which resembles a sports mouthguard. Since it’s made just for you, it will fit better and be more effective than a store-bought appliance. Call us today at 502-430-3451 to see if you’re a good candidate for an appliance.

In the meantime, check out four reasons you may prefer a sleep appliance to a CPAP:

  • No Mask or Other Distractions – The mask you wear over your face with a CPAP can be distracting for you and your bed partner. In addition, a CPAP makes noise that can keep light sleepers awake. In contrast, the appliance simply fits easily into your mouth. Neither you nor your partner should be bothered by it. 
  • Greater Comfort – The appliance’s lack of a mask and tubing keeps you more comfortable throughout the night. With no air to dry out our throat, you also won’t wake with an uncomfortable feeling of thirst. 
  • No Special Supplies Needed – You’ll need a power source for a CPAP, either electricity or batteries. Manufacturers also recommend using distilled water. Nothing but the appliance itself is needed for its use. It couldn’t be simpler!
  • Easy to Transport – Because of its small size and ease of use, you can take your appliance with you and use it virtually anywhere. This includes places like an airplane or a tent in the woods. 

Interested in a sleep appliance? Call Kirchner Dental of St. Matthews at 502-430-3451 for an appointment in Louisville, KY. You can also visit us in Jeffersonville and New Albany, IN.