Sleep apnea makes life more challenging. Poor sleep impacts overall health and mental function. Yet, with the proper treatment, patients can experience improved nighttime rest, which helps reduce sleep apnea symptoms. When it comes to traveling with an oral appliance, it is much more convenient than its counterpart.
Doctors often recommend CPAP machines to treat sleep apnea by forcing the airways open with a continuous airflow stream. While CPAP machines produce solid results, they are loud and bulky. Traveling with a CPAP machine requires extra space and may disrupt fellow travelers sharing a room.
Oral appliances may provide an effective alternative. A custom oral appliance can help open the airway for improved breathing during sleep. Plus, the devices make travel easy.
Benefits of Oral Appliances During Travel
Whether traveling for work or pleasure, a good night’s sleep makes a trip more enjoyable. You don’t want to sacrifice quality rest by not treating your sleep apnea while on the road. With an oral device, you can rest well without the extra bulk.
- Lightweight and compact
- Effective for treating sleep apnea
- Silent solution
- No electricity required
- No hoses, masks, or cords required
You won’t need to worry about an outlet converter like a CPAP for international travel. Overall, traveling with an oral appliance is much more convenient.
Who Can Use an Oral Appliance for Sleep Apnea?
Most patients with mild to moderate obstructive sleep apnea find relief using an oral appliance. Patients with severe sleep apnea may require advanced treatment options. However, patients with severe sleep apnea may also find travel harder.
If you have mild to moderate sleep apnea, an oral device may unlock the door to better sleep without the bulk and noise of the CPAP machine. An oral appliance can make travel more manageable for frequent travelers while still helping you achieve safe sleep.
How Does an Oral Appliance Work?
We recommend investing in a custom oral appliance, which offers improved fit and effectiveness. One-size-fits-all solutions can shift while you sleep and produce more issues than they solve. Stick with custom devices developed by your dentist or sleep specialist.
An oral device for sleep apnea works by shifting the jaw to open the airway. Much like the CPAP machine, when the airway opens, the disruption to breathing ceases. When patients can breathe continuously, they often sleep more soundly and stop the dangerous impact of disrupted breathing. Symptoms like depression, high blood pressure, and fatigue improve, allowing the patient to live a more normal life.
Are Oral Appliances Safe for Travel?
Yes. Oral appliances for sleep apnea treatment do not contain metal. Therefore, they pass through airport security quickly. Plus, they are lightweight and will not cause a strain to carry.
If you typically use a CPAP machine, practice using the oral device at home before you travel. You can see if the device works for you and increase your confidence. Ask your doctor if you are unsure about transitioning to an oral appliance for travel.
Check out our guide on the benefits of oral appliance therapy!
Make Travel Easy Without Compromising Your Health
Travel is hard enough without the excess baggage of a CPAP machine. Thankfully, oral appliances give travelers an effective alternative. You can protect your health and rest easily.
If you want a sleep apnea solution for travel, contact Atlanta Smiles. We’d love to discuss whether an oral appliance will work for you.