The Side Effects No One Talks About (And Why You Shouldn’t Be Scared of Them)

Let’s be real for a second:

When you first hear “oral appliance for sleep apnea,” your brain might go straight to questions like:

“Is it comfortable?”

“Will it move my teeth?”

“Am I going to wake up with drool on my pillow or an overbite from hell?”

You’re not alone—and you deserve honest answers.

So let’s talk about the real side effects of oral appliance therapy (aka Mandibular Advancement Devices or MADs)… and why they’re not as scary as you think.

💬 First of All, Yes—There

Can Be Side Effects

This is a medical device that gently shifts your jaw forward while you sleep. It’s doing something real. So it can come with some real adjustments.

Here’s what we see most commonly:

1. Mild Tooth Movement or Bite Changes

🦷 Why it happens: Your jaw is held slightly forward for 6–8 hours a night. That’s a lot of time, even if the movement is small.

✅ How we handle it:

We monitor your bite over time. We may recommend exercises or a morning re-positioning device to help your jaw return to its normal alignment each day. Most shifts are minor, manageable, and worth the improvement in breathing and sleep.

2. Dry Mouth or Extra Saliva

💧 Why it happens: Some people experience a change in how their mouth reacts to having something new in it overnight.

✅ What helps:

• Staying hydrated

• Using an alcohol-free mouth rinse before bed

• Giving your body 1–2 weeks to adapt (most patients do!)

3. Jaw Soreness in the First Week or Two

😬 Why it happens: Your jaw and facial muscles are adjusting to a new position.

✅ Good news: This is temporary. Think of it like starting a new workout—you’re building strength in areas that weren’t used to working. We start your appliance gradually and can adjust it easily if needed.

4. A Slight Learning Curve

🛌 Why it happens: You’re not used to sleeping with anything in your mouth (unless you’re in the habit of chewing gum in your sleep, in which case… impressive?)

✅ The reality: Most patients report that within 3–5 nights, they stop noticing the appliance at all—and by week two, many say they actually sleep better with it in than without.

💡 What No One Tells You?

The bigger side effect is what happens when you don’t treat your sleep apnea.

• Daytime exhaustion

• High blood pressure

• Memory problems

• Mood swings

• A higher risk of heart disease, diabetes, and even car accidents

Oral appliance therapy is one of the most comfortable, non-invasive, and effective ways to treat sleep apnea—especially if CPAP didn’t work for you.

💬 Bottom Line

Yes, there can be side effects.

But they’re usually small trade-offs for a much bigger win:

🛌 More energy.

❤️ Better health.

🌙 And sleep that finally feels like sleep again.

If you’re curious about whether a custom appliance is right for you, we’d love to help. No pressure. Just honest answers—and a better night’s rest.

📍 CNY Dental Sleep

Serving Syracuse and Central New York with heart, science, and custom comfort.

www.cnydentalsleep.com

☎️ Call us at 315-217-1315