Maybe your partner has been nudging you awake for years. Maybe you’ve tried the nasal strips, the special pillows, even sleeping in a different room. But nothing seems to stop the snoring. Or worse, maybe you’ve been told you actually stop breathing during the night, a condition called sleep apnea.
A dentist like Dr. Christopher Banks at Dupont Dental in Washington, DC, can help. Not with a CPAP machine. Not with surgery. But with a small, custom-made oral appliance that fits in your mouth like a sports mouthguard.
Why Do You Snore?
Snoring happens when air cannot flow freely through your throat while you sleep. The soft tissues in your throat relax and collapse inward, partially blocking your airway. That flapping sound? That’s the air forcing its way through a narrow space.
For some people, it’s just an annoyance. For others, the throat closes completely for ten seconds or longer. That’s obstructive sleep apnea. Your brain panics, wakes you up just enough to gasp for air, and the cycle repeats. You might do this hundreds of times a night without ever fully waking up. No wonder you feel exhausted in the morning.
How an Oral Appliance Works
Think of an oral appliance as a gentle re-positioning tool. Most look like two clear trays connected by small hinges, one tray fits over your upper teeth, the other over your lower teeth.
When you wear it to sleep, the appliance holds your lower jaw slightly forward. Just a few millimeters. That small shift pulls your tongue and soft throat tissues away from your airway. The result? Air flows freely. Snoring stops. And your body actually gets the deep, restorative sleep it’s been missing.
Oral Appliance vs. CPAP
You have probably heard of CPAP, a machine that blows pressurized air through a mask you wear over your nose and mouth. It works very well, but many people struggle to tolerate it. The mask feels claustrophobic. The machine is noisy. Traveling with it is a hassle.
An oral appliance is different. It’s small, silent, and portable. You can toss it in your overnight bag. There’s no electricity required. No mask. No hose. For patients with mild to moderate sleep apnea, it is often the preferred treatment.
What to Expect at Dupont Dental
Helping you sleep better starts with a conversation. Dr. Banks will ask about your symptoms. Do you wake up with headaches? Feel drowsy during afternoon meetings? Has anyone told you that you stop breathing at night?
From there, we use digital imaging to create a precise model of your teeth. Your appliance will be custom-made just for you, not a one-size-fits-none device from the internet. Once it arrives, Dr. Banks will show you how to insert, remove, and clean it. Most patients adjust within a few nights.
This Is Serious. Don’t Ignore It.
Untreated sleep apnea is not just about being tired. It puts strain on your heart, increases blood pressure, and raises your risk of stroke. It affects your memory, your mood, and your relationships. If an oral appliance is right for you, we can have you sleeping better in just a few weeks.
Your Partner Will Thank You
If snoring has been driving a wedge between you and a good night’s rest, or between you and the person sleeping next to you, reach out. Dupont Dental is accepting new patients, and we would love to help.
Call (202) 946-4720 or request a consultation online. Better sleep is closer than you think.