Do you have an oral appliance that is designed to help treat your sleep apnea? If so, you need to make sure that you’re wearing it whenever you go to bed – whether you’re at home or on the go. It’s important to bring your sleep apnea oral appliance with you whenever you go traveling. To make sure no problems occur during your trip, keep the following 4 tips in mind.
1. Make Sure Your Oral Appliance Is in Its Case When You’re Not Using It
When your oral appliance is not in your mouth, you will want to make sure that it’s well protected from debris and harmful microorganisms. As such, before you go traveling, you should confirm that you have a storage case to keep your oral appliance in. If for any reason you do not have such a case, a plastic food container can be a good substitute. (Just make sure that it’s big enough for the appliance.)
2. Put Your Oral Appliance in Your Carry-On Luggage
During a long flight, there’s a good chance that you’ll feel like taking a nap. If that happens, you’ll definitely want to have your oral appliance on hand so that you can keep your sleep apnea under control while you slumber. For this reason, you should pack your oral appliance with the rest of your carry-on luggage. As an added benefit, you won’t have to worry about not having your appliance if your luggage happens to be lost.
3. Make Time to Clean Your Oral Appliance Regularly
Traveling gives you a chance to get away from your normal routine, but some things need to be done regularly no matter where you are – and maintaining a clean oral appliance is one of them. Whenever you take your oral appliance out in the morning, give it a thorough brushing with a soft-bristled toothbrush and rinse it off under the nearest sink. When rinsing, be sure not to use hot water; you don’t want to risk warping your appliance while you’re away from home.
4. See Your Sleep Dentist Before You Leave
If you take the time to see your sleep dentist before your trip, they will be able to make any necessary adjustments to your oral appliance. On top of that, they can give you additional tips for caring for your appliance so that you can avoid problems even while on the go.
By taking the right precautions and ensuring that your oral appliance is properly cared for, you can enjoy your trip to the fullest without having to worry about your sleep apnea.
About the Practice
At Star Sleep & Wellness in Frisco, we are proud to have an entire team of board-certified sleep specialists who are well-known for their ability to help people overcome their sleep apnea. Many local medical institutions often refer patients to us so that we can help them get a better night’s sleep. To schedule a consultation with our team, visit our website or call (844) 409-4657.