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Is your CPAP machine hurting your teeth?

If you have sleep apnea, there are many reasons why you shouldn’t just ignore it. However, for many people who use a CPAP machine for their sleep apnea, they find that the treatment is as bad as the problem. There can be many disadvantages to using a CPAP machine, and one of these is that your machine could be doing damage to your teeth.

How your CPAP machine could affect your oral health

Sleep apnea is a serious condition in which your airway narrows while you sleep, preventing enough oxygen from getting into your system. This can happen several times throughout the night, and your brain reacts to this by waking you up every time it happens (although you may not even realize it) to make sure you are getting enough air. The result is that you may be tired and irritable all the time, and you may have morning headaches and dry mouth, but all of these symptoms are just the beginning – sleep apnea that is left untreated can result in serious health problems, such as depression, high blood pressure, and heart disease.

Your doctor may recommend a CPAP (a continuous positive airway pressure) machine for your sleep apnea, but many people find that a CPAP comes with its own set of problems, from difficulty keeping it clean, to difficulty traveling with it, to feeling claustrophobic when wearing it. Another problem is that it may be causing damage to your teeth. As the machine forces air into your mouth, it is possible that this pressure is causing your teeth to move, which can lead to tooth and jaw problems and a misaligned bite. You may start to notice pain in your teeth, and in the worst case scenario you may eventually end up with tooth decay, loose teeth, jaw pain, and gum disease.

There are many possible problems that a CPAP machine can cause, and many reasons why you may not be happy with your CPAP. But there are other options! An oral appliance, which fits comfortably over the teeth, may be the answer to both your CPAP problems and your sleep apnea. Contact eos dental sleep in Philadelphia for an appointment today, at (215) 241-0700.