Sleep apnea disrupts the sleep of many Americans, leading to problems like hypertension, diabetes, and even difficulty staying awake during the day. While this condition is a significant issue for one’s quality of life, it is a problem that can be treated. Many patients with obstructive sleep apnea wear oral appliances every night to help them breathe while they sleep. While it’s certainly important to get a good night’s sleep, it’s also important for a sleep apnea patient to clean their oral appliance regularly to prevent infections and other complications. Here are a few tips for keeping your oral appliance clean.
Make Sure Your Mouth Is Clean Before You Wear Your Appliance
It’s always crucial to brush, floss, and rinse with antibacterial mouthwash every day, but neglecting to do so can have particular consequences for people who wear an oral appliance. Wearing it without thoroughly cleaning your mouth beforehand will give bacteria the shelter they need to multiply rapidly and attack your teeth overnight. This can dramatically increase your risk of developing cavities and other oral infections.
Rinse Your Appliance Before You Wear It
It’s possible that your oral appliance will have food debris clinging to it from the last time it was worn. Give it a good rinse before you put it back in your mouth to make sure it doesn’t have any unwanted material hanging onto it.
Give Your Appliance a Good Brushing Every Morning
Just as you should brush your teeth every morning, you should also take the time to thoroughly brush your oral appliance as well. You can give your appliance a good scrub using a soft brush, ultrasonic cleaner, and toothpaste or clear antibacterial soap. It’s important to get into every nook and cranny to remove bacteria and prevent the appliance from acquiring a foul odor.
Leaving a wet appliance in a closed-off space creates a dark, damp environment that is ideal for bacterial and fungal growth. After brushing your appliance, rinse it off and place it in its open container to dry to prevent germs from breeding on it.
Give Your Appliance a Cleanser Bath
You should soak your appliance in water with a denture cleaner tablet about once a week. Just fill the appliance’s container with water and place it in there with a few tablets. Wait a few minutes before dumping the water out and drying your appliance. These tablets can be purchased at a grocery store or pharmacy.
Though these practices make a big difference for your oral hygiene, they only take a few minutes to perform. Keeping your oral appliance clean can help preserve your oral and overall health. Good hygiene can add years to your lifespan and keep you healthy enough to enjoy it.
About the Author
Dr. Dean Hutto earned his dental doctorate at the University of Texas Dental School in Houston in 1992 and pursues continuing education courses to stay on top of the latest developments in dentistry. He is a proud member of the American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine, the Academy of General Dentistry, and the American Dental Association. His office in Baytown, TX offers sleep apnea treatments, at-home sleep apnea testing, and oral appliance therapy. For more information on taking care of your oral appliance, contact the office online or dial (281) 422-8249.