Mouthguards for OSA- advice please

[Rydog22]

Hello,

Could anyone please give me advice on finding a mouthguard to help with OSA. I am still in the process of getting an accurate diagnosis. There appears to be nothing wrong with my oxygen levels at night but I am in the process of seeking further evaluation.

Until then, which may take months, can anyone give me advice on a suitable mouthguard for which I believe may ease my symptoms until I have a proper diagnosis.

Are the ones online sufficient? Or do I need to get a custom made one?

Any advice would be much appreciated.

[D.H.]

Please note that in addition to reduced oxygen levels, sleep apnea causes fragmented sleep, preventing you from being able to reach the deepest sleep; especially REM sleep.

Your oxygen saturation could be normal (or nearly normal), but your sleep can be fragmented.

[ChicagoGranny]

Are the ones online sufficient? Or do I need to get a custom made one?

That's hard to say. If it were me, I would buy a cheap boil-n-bite type for a trial. Make sure to get one that advances the lower jaw slightly. A decision about a custom made device could be made after the trial. Note that custom made runs $1500 and up.

In any case, until you can get a diagnosis and a CPAP system, avoid backsleeping. Sleep on your sides and/or stomach. Obstructive sleep apnea tends to be more severe when backsleeping due to gravity pulling the tongue directly into the airway.

In any case, don't forget that CPAP is the gold standard for treating sleep apnea. Gramps and I both have custom-made mandibular advancement devices ($1700 each). We hoped to use them for naps and in case of power failure. Neither one of us can tolerate the devices - not even for short naps.

may take months

Why so long? What is the next step in the process?

[palerider]

the deepest sleep; especially REM sleep.

Note to anybody reading this, REM sleep is a completely different stage from deep sleep, in fact, REM is a light, active sleep stage.