Sleep Apnea Treatments | Do Chin Straps Work?

Electronic and mainstream media are filled with influencers promoting many solutions for issues like sleep disorders. Some of the common ones include insomnia, sleep, apnea, bruxism, etc. The topic that we want to shed light on is the use of a chin strap for sleep apnea. One of the drawbacks of this influencing culture is misinterpretation by the general public. So, if you are struggling to have a peaceful snooze due to sleep apnea, here’s our take on the use of a chin strap for sleep apnea.

Understanding Chin Straps and Their Effect on Sleep Apnea

If you are in search of a quick fix for your condition, chin straps are not the best for it. According to a study involving a bunch of patients with obstructive sleep apnea, the results showed no improvement in any measure of obstructive sleep apnea or even snoring.

The researchers even tailored various aspects of their sleep to determine if chin straps might benefit them; unfortunately, there were no positive outcomes in any scenarios.

The main function of chin straps is that they are meant to work in sync with CPAP therapy. They can do so by keeping your jaw closed to prevent any sort of leaks when using a nasal or nasal pillow CPAP mask.

Are Chin Straps The Only Way You Can Treat Sleep Apnea?

No. Chin straps are not the only way to deal with sleep apnea and its symptoms. There are options like CPAP machines, which, along with these restraints, work pretty well. Some success is seen in patients who snore or have mild sleep apnea chin straps, more so if their snoring occurs when they breathe by their mouths.

Some patients breathe via mouth because they are physically unable to do so through their noses. For those cases, a more detailed and custom approach is needed, involving methods to open the nasal airways. So, a strap on the chin to keep their mouth shut may not be the right way to move forward.

The Role of CPAP in Treating Sleep Apnea

While the use of chin straps might not be the best solution for most sleep apnea patients, its use is appreciated with other treatment options, such as Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) therapy.

Here’s how CPAP therapy Works:

It delivers a stream of air through a tube into the patient’s nose, mouth, or both at the same time during sleep. This continuous flow of air applies pressure to the airway, minimizing the risk of collapse and resulting in the elimination of breathing obstructions.

Closing Note

You can leave the trouble of finding the right treatment for your sleep apnea and snoring to the experts from Rio Dental. While chin straps may work for some, they are not a universal solution.

We provide treatments, such as CPAP therapy in San Antonio, for sleep apnea issues. If you wish to learn more about this condition and the options we have in store for you, dial (210) 785-8526 to schedule an appointment. Or, if you’d like to visit our office, you can find us at 2811 Hillcrest Dr, San Antonio, TX 78201, near Villasol Insurance Solutions LLC.