Sleep apnea is a common sleep disorder that causes you to stop breathing repeatedly during sleep. It can disrupt your sleep, leaving you feeling tired and groggy during the day. Two common treatments for sleep apnea are CPAP therapy and oral appliances (mouth guards).
CPAP, or Continuous Positive Airway Pressure, is a machine that delivers pressurized air through a mask to keep your airway open. Oral appliances are custom-made devices that fit over your teeth and jaw to prevent your airway from collapsing.
In this article, we'll compare CPAP and oral appliances to help you decide which treatment is right for you. We'll discuss the pros and cons of each option, including effectiveness, comfort, cost, and side effects.
What is Sleep Apnea?
Having trouble breathing while sleeping is called sleep apnea. Usually, this is a condition in which your blood oxygen level gets reduced, and this can wake up your brain, and you start breathing again and again. This can totally disturb your sleep, and you have to face this the whole night. Through this, you dont complete your rest and also have to face different difficulties in your daily life activities and feel irritated the whole day.
Types of Sleep Apnea
Usually, there are two types of sleep apnea discovered. The following are these types:
- Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA): This type of sleep apnea is the type that mostly happens to people. In this type, the muscles of your throat get relaxed, and through this, your airway 1 gets blocked, and this can happen when you are sleeping and disturb your sleep.
- Central Sleep Apnea (CSA): This is another type of sleep apnea, and in this type, you do not even get any signal from your brain to your breathing muscles, which can cause worse breathing problems.
Symptoms of Sleep Apnea
Many people are facing this type of condition and don't even know what is happening to them. Don't worry if you want to understand this condition; the following are the symptoms of it:
- Loud snoring
- Choking or gasping sounds during sleep
- Daytime sleepiness
- Morning headaches
- Difficulty concentrating
- Irritability
- Restless sleep
- High blood pressure
- Heart problems
What is CPAP?
The full form of CPAP is Continuous Positive Airway Pressure. Usually, it is a treatment for those who face breathing issues like sleep apnea while sleeping. This is a medical machine with which a mask is connected. You have to wear this mask while sleeping. This mask provides you with a good amount of air according to your needs, which helps to open your airway and get you out of this problem.
Treatment Options for Sleep Apnea
CPAP Therapy
One of the most effective treatments for sleep apnea is CPAP therapy. As you read in the upper section, it is a mask that is connected to a machine to help with clear breathing by opening your blocked airway. This way, you avoid this problem, make your sleep peaceful, and keep yourself safe.
Oral Appliance Therapy (Mouth Guards)
Usually, oral appliances are another treatment for problems like sleep apnea. They are custom-made and fit according to the structure of your teeth and help in opening your blocked airway. This way, you can easily breathe while sleeping without any disturbance. But it is not the perfect treatment for all. If it is not providing you with the best results, you have to use CPAP therapy.
Mouth Guard vs. CPAP
|
Feature |
Mouth Guard |
CPAP |
|
Effectiveness |
Effective for mild to moderate sleep apnea. May not be as effective for severe cases. |
Highly effective for all severities of sleep apnea. |
|
Comfort |
Generally comfortable, but may cause jaw pain or discomfort in some people. |
Can be uncomfortable initially, especially adjusting to the mask. Long-term comfort often improves. |
|
Convenience |
Portable and easy to use. |
Requires a machine and mask, which may be less portable. |
|
Cost |
Less expensive upfront, but may require replacement over time. |
More expensive upfront due to the machine and mask, but long-term costs may be lower. |
|
Side Effects |
May cause jaw pain, dry mouth, or difficulty speaking. |
May cause skin irritation, dryness, or claustrophobia. |
|
Lifestyle Impact |
Minimal impact on lifestyle. |
May limit travel and social activities due to the need for the machine and mask. |
Which is Right for You?
Sleep apnea is a serious issue and is getting common, and it's very important to treat it with the right solution, but it is on your own to choose which treatment is best for you according to the worseness of the sleep apnea and some other factors. The following are the factors that you have to know for the best decision.
Here are some factors to consider:
- Severity of Sleep Apnea: If you are facing sleep apnea at its earlier stages, then treatment like oral appliances are good options for you, but in case you are facing this condition at its worst stage, you have to treat it with the help of CAPA therapy, which will provide you with the best results.
- Comfort and Convenience: To make a perfect choice, you have to first take a look at your lifestyle and your preferences. If you remain outside of home mostly or spend your time traveling, the oral appliances are the best option that fits your needs. On the other hand, if you are comfortable with using machines, then consider CAPA therapy.
- Cost: Both CPAP and oral appliances have upfront and ongoing costs. Consider the long-term costs of each treatment, including the cost of replacement parts or new devices.
FAQs
Are mouth guards as effective as a CPAP?
Mouth guards are a good option for the treatment of problems like sleep apnea, but if you are facing this problem at the worst stage, then consider using CPAP therapy because mouth guards are less effective as compared to CPAP.
Can a mouthpiece replace a CPAP?
In some cases, a mouthpiece can replace CPAP for mild to moderate sleep apnea. However, it's crucial to consult with a sleep specialist to determine the best treatment option for your specific needs.
What is the success rate of mouthpieces for sleep apnea?
Usually, you can get better results with the use of mouthpieces. It can reduce your problem, but mostly, it depends on the person who is using it because it's not the perfect option for all. Some people have worse issues, and it's better for earlier stages of sleep apnea.
Can a mouth guard fix sleep apnea?
Of course mouth guards help you to reduce the difficulties that you face during sleep apnea issues. A mouth guard helps to open the airway. Through this, you can breathe smoothly while sleeping.