If you’ve recently received an oral appliance to help relieve jaw discomfort, it’s important to know how to care for it properly. Regular maintenance helps keep your appliance in good condition and ensures it continues to guide your bite gently into a more balanced position. With the right care, it can remain comfortable and effective for months or even years.
At our Midtown Manhattan dental office, Dr. Karthilde Appolon provides personalized solutions for patients experiencing jaw pain, headaches, and other symptoms of TMJ disorder. Oral appliance therapy is one of the most effective ways to restore balance and reduce strain on the jaw. When you visit our practice, you’ll receive attentive care and guidance to help you get the most benefit from your appliance and enjoy lasting comfort.
Your TMJ Treatment Plan
Dr. Appolon utilizes several different TMJ treatments for her patients. We find great success in these treatment modalities for this complex yet prevalent disorder:
- Lifestyle changes in sleep habits, diet
- TENS (Transcutaneous Electric Nerve Stimulation)
- Bite splints or oral appliances
- Dental procedures to correct uneven, worn, and misaligned teeth
- NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs)
- Oral surgery (only for advanced cases)
After a comprehensive TMJ evaluation, including a medical/dental history, x-rays, exam, and various TMJ diagnostic tools and technology, Dr. Appolon will have a clear picture of where your problems lie and how best to correct your misaligned bite and other dental issues.
Your TMJ treatment plan will be created, and the steps we’ll take to help ease your TMJ symptoms will be thoroughly explained. You’ll be encouraged to ask questions, and we’ll involve you in the treatment plan every step of the way. We value our patients and want you to understand why specific TMJ treatments have been recommended for your particular situation. Your TMJ treatment plan will likely include some combination of the above, with oral surgery always being the last resort.
TMJ Oral Appliance Care
Oral appliance care for orthotics to treat Obstructive Sleep Apnea can also be cared for in much the same way outlined here. Be sure to ask the Appolon Dental Group team if you need clarification on the care instructions for your oral appliance.
- When the oral appliance is not in your mouth, store it in the case provided. Please avoid setting it on the nightstand, dresser, counter, or somewhere else where it can be lost or damaged.
- Wash your oral appliance with non-toxic soap or denture cleaner and brush. Dr. Appolon will likely recommend the best cleaning products for your particular appliance.
- Don’t soak or clean your appliance with abrasive, damaging products such as mouthwash, rubbing alcohol, peroxide, or toothpaste.
- Brush your oral appliance frequently according to our instructions. Brushing after each meal is recommended since your tongue is unable to remove food particles from under the appliance. Meticulous oral hygiene is necessary to avoid tooth decay and gum disease. Please don’t hesitate to ask for a refresher on proper tooth brushing if it’s been a while.
- As you get used to your oral appliance, you may experience more saliva production, difficulty speaking, and frequent tongue biting. Give yourself a couple of weeks to get used to it; if you’re still struggling after the two-week mark, be sure to give the team at Appolon Dental Group a call. We may need to inspect how the appliance lies in your mouth and make adjustments.
- For about a week or so after beginning oral appliance therapy, you will likely have soreness in the temples, neck, and other areas. You may also feel toothaches and tooth and gum sensitivity. If this persists longer than a week after beginning oral appliance therapy, let us know.
- We all love our pets, but please keep your oral appliance out of their reach. If your beloved fur babies get a hold of it, it can become a very expensive chew toy!
- Keep your oral appliance out of hot cars, microwaves, stovetops, and other hot surfaces.
- Please don’t pack your oral appliance in your luggage when traveling. Extreme hot or cold temperatures can damage the orthotic. Instead, keep your appliance in a purse or some other type of carry-on.
- Don’t put your oral appliance in pants or coat pockets. You may forget it’s there and sit on it or throw the clothes into the washing machine.
As always, please do not hesitate to contact Appolon Dental Group should you have any questions about caring for your oral appliance.
Learn More About Oral Appliances for TMJ and OSA Today
Please call Appolon Dental Group at (212) 557-8668 if you have questions about caring for your appliance. You may also submit questions or request an appointment using our online contact form.
