Some people wake up tired, even after what they thought was a full night of sleep. Others hear from loved ones that they snore or stop breathing while resting. Often, they do not realize their jaw or bite could be part of the problem. A dental appliance for sleep apnea is one option that may help reposition the jaw and improve nighttime airflow. For people in Beverly, MA, this topic comes up more often than you might think.

Sleep disruptions can show up in quiet ways. You may feel like you are running on low energy, even though nothing major has changed. Sometimes the answer is resting differently, not just longer. That is one of the reasons Dr. Benjamin Polan works closely with people to better understand how the mouth and jaw connect with sleep.

What a Dental Appliance Does While You Sleep

A dental appliance helps keep your airway from feeling blocked when you are lying down. It works by sliding the lower jaw gently forward, which can stop soft tissue at the back of the throat from shifting too far during rest. When that space opens up, breathing tends to come easier.

This kind of appliance is small and usually made to fit over your upper and lower teeth. It is worn while you sleep and is easy to remove in the morning. It does not use wires, tubes, or anything bulky. For many people, it fits snugly and can be part of a normal nighttime routine after a short adjustment period.

The first few nights using one may feel a little strange, especially if you have not worn anything in your mouth to sleep before. But most people adapt fairly quickly. Dr. Benjamin Polan walks people through what to expect so they are ready and know when to speak up if something does not feel right.

Signs That Might Mean You’re a Good Fit

Sometimes the body gives early signs that breathing during sleep could use some attention. These are the types of things we encourage people to pay attention to:

• You feel groggy after what should have been a full night of rest

• You wake up with a dry mouth, even if you went to bed hydrated

• Your jaw feels sore or tight in the morning

• People mention that you snore or seem to pause while breathing

Having one or two of these does not always mean there is a problem, but they are common patterns we see with potential airway concerns. Each person bites slightly differently, and not all discomfort has the same cause. That is one reason Dr. Benjamin Polan takes the time to check more than just where your teeth meet. He looks at how your jaw moves, whether your breathing shifts when lying down, and what your muscles feel like at rest.

At North Shores Sleep and TMJ, our oral appliances are custom-made to your bite and jaw, using digital scans to achieve a secure fit and comfort. Appliances are always adjustable, and our follow-up appointments ensure the appliance works as intended over time.

What It’s Like to Try One

Trying a dental appliance does not happen overnight. There is a process that helps make sure it meshes well with how your mouth moves and closes.

1. Dr. Benjamin Polan checks your bite and asks questions about your sleep.

2. If it is appropriate, impressions are taken so the appliance can be shaped just for you.

3. Once it arrives, we test how it fits and adjust it if something feels too tight or off-centre.

Once it is ready, you will wear it each night and monitor how you feel. If anything is not sitting right or feels too different, we let people know they can come in for tweaks. Sometimes shifting how it rests in the mouth makes a big difference in comfort.

What matters most is catching issues early so they do not turn into larger problems. Dr. Benjamin Polan is familiar with how to spot small clues that signal a need for change.

Questions People Often Ask Dr. Benjamin Polan

A lot of people come in with questions and small hesitations. That is expected, and we find it is helpful to talk about the parts that can feel new or uncertain.

• Will it hurt at first? It may feel new or snug, but it is not painful for most people.

• Will I be able to talk with it? You do not need to speak while sleeping, but some speech might sound different while it is in.

• How do I clean it? Usually, gentle brushing and cool water are enough.

• What happens if I lose it during sleep? Most are fitted well enough that they stay in without any trouble.

We are used to talking through all kinds of concerns, from technical ones to more personal ones, like how it affects nighttime routines. Taking time to understand makes people more comfortable trying something new.

Moving Toward More Peaceful Sleep

A better night’s rest can change the way a whole day feels. When the body works harder to breathe during sleep, it often does not get the full rest it is looking for. A dental appliance for sleep apnea can give the jaw a small nudge forward, making more space to breathe calmly.

Noticing the early signs, from snoring to waking with a dry mouth, gives you a chance to listen to what your body may be trying to say. North Shores Sleep and TMJ helps people look at how their mouth and sleep habits might be connected. Sometimes, small changes made with care and patience make a lasting impact.

For anyone who does not feel rested or notices signs like loud snoring or dry mouth, a small change in how the jaw sits could make a big difference. One option we often discuss is using a dental appliance for sleep apnea in Beverly, MA, to help open the airway during rest. Dr. Benjamin Polan guides each person through what to expect before and after, taking the time to make sure everything feels right. To learn more, contact us today.