A sleep apnea mouthpiece can reduce snoring for many people. It holds your lower jaw slightly forward while you sleep, which helps keep your tongue and throat tissue from narrowing your airway. A narrow airway makes the vibrating sound of snoring, so more open space means less noise. Every person responds differently, so a sleep study comes first to show whether a mouthpiece is the right choice for you.
At Olympia Hills Family Dental, we custom-fit mouthpieces as part of our sleep apnea treatment program. Our team walks you through each stage, from your sleep study results to your final fitting, so you know what to expect.
How Does a Sleep Apnea Mouthpiece Work?
When you fall asleep, the muscles in your throat and tongue relax. In some people, that relaxation lets soft tissue sag into the airway. Air moving past the tissue makes it vibrate, and that vibration is snoring. In sleep apnea, the tissue can block the airway enough to pause your breathing, which interrupts your rest.
A mouthpiece is a custom-fitted device you wear over your teeth at night. It gently moves your lower jaw forward, which brings your tongue forward too and opens more space behind it. With more room, air moves with less vibration, which helps quiet snoring and cut down on breathing pauses. It looks similar to a nightguard, but it positions your jaw to support your airway instead of only cushioning your teeth.
What Are the Steps to Getting a Sleep Apnea Mouthpiece?
Snoring can be harmless, but it can also signal sleep apnea, so testing comes before any mouthpiece is made. Your process follows these steps:
- Sleep study: A sleep study measures your breathing and oxygen levels overnight, so a sleep physician can confirm whether you have snoring alone or sleep apnea.
- Consultation: We review your sleep study results, symptoms, and dental history to confirm a mouthpiece fits your needs.
- Impressions: We take detailed impressions or digital scans of your teeth to design a precise fit.
- Bite registration: We record the jaw position that helps keep your airway open without added strain.
- Delivery and adjustment: We check the fit of your custom mouthpiece and make small changes for comfort.
The sleep study gives you and our team a clear starting point, so it is easier to see how your mouthpiece is working. We also send you home with clear instructions for cleaning and storing your mouthpiece between wears, so nightly care becomes part of your routine.
What Can I Expect While Getting Used to My Mouthpiece?
The first several nights feel different. Your jaw muscles and gums can feel sore as they adjust, and you can notice extra saliva at first. These feelings ease as your mouth adapts. Call our office about any discomfort so we can adjust the fit, and wear your mouthpiece as directed to help your mouth settle in.
Research supports mouthpieces as an option for adults with sleep apnea. A 2024 review through the National Institutes of Health notes two national sleep medicine groups made a recommendation in 2015. They advised sleep physicians to consider oral appliances for adults who cannot tolerate CPAP or prefer another option. Results differ from person to person, so we check your progress and adjust your plan as needed.
Where Can I Get a Custom Sleep Apnea Mouthpiece?
You can get a custom sleep apnea mouthpiece at Olympia Hills Family Dental. Dr. Christina Gonzalez has undergone extensive training to treat sleep breathing disorders safely and correctly. Our office also has the state-of-the-art Solea CO2 laser, known for its superior quality of treatment of sleep breathing disorders. You can learn about our laser treatment for snoring as another option. You can also read more about our dentists and their training.
We treat every patient like family. That means we take time to explain your options and answer your questions before you commit to any treatment. New patients and longtime patients are both welcome here, and we want you and the people who share your home to sleep better. From your first visit to your last checkup, our team works together to make the experience feel personal.
Contact Olympia Hills Family Dental to Start Sleeping Better
A custom mouthpiece from Olympia Hills Family Dental gives you a simple way to support your airway and enjoy quieter nights with your partner. Our team guides you from your sleep study results through your first fitting and ongoing care.
We proudly serve patients from Universal City, Randolph Air Force Base, and surrounding areas. Schedule your sleep apnea mouthpiece consultation today through our contact form.
