Why Does My Oral Sleep Appliance Keep Falling Out?

Nightguards and oral sleep appliances can be very helpful for sleep quality and overall health. Sadly, though, some patients encounter a big problem with their device — it keeps falling out! This can be a frustrating issue, but the good news is that it is usually fixable. This blog post talks about why your appliance might not stay in place and suggests steps you can take to start truly benefiting from it.

You Have the Wrong Device

In an effort to save money, you might have chosen to purchase an over-the-counter sleep appliance instead of investing in a custom product from a dentist. While over-the-counter options can have an appealingly low price, they have a major drawback. Since they are not made for your unique mouth, they tend not to fit well. As a result, they can easily slip out of place.

What you can do: Replace your over-the-counter sleep appliance with a custom one from a qualified dental professional.

You Have Not Adjusted to Your Device

An oral sleep appliance is a foreign object in your mouth, so it makes sense that your body might not accept it right away. Even if it fits very well and is comfortable, you might unconsciously reject it during the night.

What you can do: Be patient! It might take a few weeks for your body to get used to wearing your appliance. As time passes, you may find that you reject it less and less frequently.  If problems persist after a reasonable adjustment period, talk to the dentist who provided your device. They will do all they can to help you solve the problem.

Your Device Is Damaged

Various circumstances might cause your oral sleep appliance or nightguard to incur damage. For example, if it falls on a hard surface, a curious pet gets ahold of it, or it becomes unusually dirty, it may no longer work the way it should.

What you can do: Bring the damaged device to your dentist. They may be able to repair it, or they might determine that you need an entirely new appliance. They might also provide tips to help you avoid similar damage in the future. For example, they could advise you to always store your device in a designated case whenever you are not using it.

Your oral sleep appliance can be hugely beneficial for your health — but it will only work if you can wear it consistently! Use the tips in this article to keep your device where it belongs night after night.

Meet the Practice

Dr. Kenneth Mogell is an experienced dentist who specializes in providing oral sleep appliances for patients with obstructive sleep apnea. If you have questions about this treatment or how you can make a success out of it, Dr. Mogell and our Vero Beach team would be happy to speak with you. Contact us at 772-882-6800.