Sleep apnea: Mouthguards less invasive, just as effective as CPAP

Re:Sleep apnea: Mouthguards less invasive, just as effective... by al_borland on Monday April 15, 2024 @02:58AM (#40037707)

I think my dad used one of these for a while. He talked about trying something that effectively made him dislocate his jaw at night, then pop it back into place in the morning. I thought it sounded like a terrible idea, but he seemed excited for the possibility of traveling without his CPAP, so I didn’t say anything negative, having not done any research on it, while he had.

Fast forward several months later, he ended up with TMJ issues and tinnitus. I didn’t find that all too surprising, but when talking to him it was like he didn’t see it coming and the risks of messing with the jaw every night were not made clear.

He discontinued use. Last I heard, I think his jaw is feeling better, but the tinnitus remains, to some degree.

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Re:Sleep apnea: Mouthguards less invasive, just as effective... by CrumpetDiagonal on Monday April 15, 2024 @05:09AM (#40038288)

The literature is replete those kinds of issues. The most common side effect of prolonged use is a change in the bite alignment. I used one for over a year before I had surgical intervention to increase the size of my airway via jaw surgery (both jaws advanced). By the end of that year, I couldn’t get my lower jaw back into place during the day and bite no longer aligned.

Thanks the braces and surgery corrected my bite and expanded my airway to the point that I no longer need anything to help me breathe at night or during the day

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Re:Sleep apnea: Mouthguards less invasive, just as effective... by wkat4242 on Monday April 15, 2024 @07:03AM (#40038917)

I had the same issue with bite alignment after sleeping with a mouthguard for a few nights only!

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Re:Sleep apnea: Mouthguards less invasive, just as effective... by onemoresoop on Monday April 15, 2024 @05:04PM (#40045574)

I'm glad that worked out for you and you're finally cured. Did you have a painful recovery was post surgery?

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Re:Sleep apnea: Mouthguards less invasive, just as effective... by CrumpetDiagonal on Wednesday April 17, 2024 @06:19AM (#40062624)

I think my recovery was pretty normal. I spent two nights in hospital, which is normal where I’m from. When I woke up after surgery, I remember being in pain and asking for the strong stuff, which worked just fine. After that it was quite manageable. It’s a difficult long recovery, but I wouldn’t describe it as painful. I

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Re:Sleep apnea: Mouthguards less invasive, just as effective... by rob74 on Monday April 15, 2024 @05:12AM (#40038296)

TMJ = Temporomandibular joint (probably clear for anyone who has issues with it, but not so much to the rest of us)

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Re:Sleep apnea: Mouthguards less invasive, just as effective... by SOLAR_FIELDS on Tuesday April 16, 2024 @11:37AM (#40053406)

I’ve had it my entire life, if you have ever met someone whose jaw clicks they probably have this. It doesn’t necessarily have to click, but that’s the most noticeable external symptom.

It doesn’t really affect my life that much outside of getting the occasional strange look/question when dining with strangers and being unable to chew gum because it makes my jaw ache.

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