Travel Comfortably with Sleep Apnea by Following These 4 Tips

There’s a lot to think about when you go traveling, and this is especially the case if you’ve been diagnosed with sleep apnea. Keeping your sleep-disordered breathing under control is essential if you want to remain comfortable and well-rested throughout your trip. It always pays to be prepared ahead of time, so take note of these 4 tips for traveling with sleep apnea.

1. Always Keep Your Oral Appliance in a Protective Case

You should never leave town without bringing your sleep apnea treatment with you. For many patients, said treatment takes the form of a customized oral appliance. But you shouldn’t just carelessly throw your appliance into your suitcase; instead, it should always be safely stored away in its case. This will keep it safe from damage and airborne germs whenever it’s not in your mouth.

2. When Flying, Keep Your Oral Appliance Where You Can Get to It

If your trip involves getting on an airplane, your oral appliance should be stowed away in your carry-on bag. After all, you might decide to take a nap on the plane, so it’s best to ensure that you have your sleep apnea treatment on hand just in case. As a bonus, keeping your oral appliance in your carry-on luggage means there’s less chance of it getting lost.

3. At Your Destination, Practice Good Sleep Habits

Once you arrive at your destination, you’ll need to make sure that you’re taking the right steps to manage your sleep apnea while you’re away from home. While this obviously means wearing your oral appliance, you can also take other steps to improve the overall quality of your sleep, such as:

• Sticking to a consistent bedtime as closely as you can.
• Using an eye mask, earplugs, or any other items that may make it easier for you to sleep in an unfamiliar environment.
• Using relaxation techniques such as deep breathing or meditation before you go to bed.

4. Remember to Keep Your Oral Appliance and Your Smile Clean

No matter where you sleep, you should make a point of rinsing off your oral appliance every morning after taking it out of your mouth. This helps discourage the buildup of harmful bacteria that could lead to tooth decay and other oral health problems. Additionally, don’t forget to brush and floss thoroughly before putting your oral appliance in right before bed. You don’t want food particles to get trapped between the appliance and your teeth throughout the night.

Don’t let sleep apnea disrupt your trip. By following the tips above, you can continue to enjoy quality sleep while getting the most out of your time away from home.

About the Author

Dr. Deborah A. Romack is a graduate of Baylor College of Dentistry. She is a member of the American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine, and she is trained to recognize the signs and symptoms of sleep breathing disorders. She offers oral appliance treatment for people with sleep apnea who may be CPAP intolerant. To schedule a consultation with Dr. Romack at Weatherford Dental Sleep Medicine, visit her website or call (817) 594-3806.