Whether you are using oral appliance therapy for the treatment of TMD or sleep apnea, it is important to understand there can be side effects associated with your treatment. As you know, many treatments have side effects and so does oral appliance therapy. But that doesn’t mean you should avoid treatment or stop completely. It just means that the more you know, the better you will be at managing your condition.
Each individual will react to treatment in a different way, so it does not always mean you will experience these side effects. It just means there is a chance. Let’s take a look at the side effects and how you can overcome them.
Potential side effects
The use of oral appliance therapy for the treatment of sleep apnea or TMD may cause some side effects. While many of these side effects are only short term, it is important to understand what might occur.
Some possible side effects might include:
- Excessive salivation.
- Dry mouth.
- Tooth and jaw discomfort.
- Temporary bite changes.
Contact your dentist
Additionally, some people do run the risk of developing further complications with oral appliance therapy. When this occurs, it is important to visit your dentist to readjust and alter your treatment. Some patients might experience potential complications such as jaw pain and permanent changes to your bite.
These complications are often recognized and managed by dentists trained in dental sleep medicine. Don’t ignore any complications you experience. Instead, contact your dentist for further guidance and information.
