Teeth Whitening Trays and CPAP

[MAPnea]

Does anyone have experience with wearing "teeth whitening trays" overnight with their PAP machine?

Three years ago, my dental hygienist told me to wear my whitening trays overnight. Once a month is all I need - I don't like the extreme white "Chic-lets" look. I noticed, before my sleep apnea diagnosis and treatment, I would sleep a little bit better during the nights I would wear my trays. Seemed to help "jut my jaw" out a bit.

A year ago I was diagnosed with sleep apneas and stopped wearing the trays at night because I didn't know if they would interfere with therapy. I switched to wearing them about 4 hours during the day and now I have to do that 2-3 times a month. I'd like to go back to wearing them overnight when I'm not thinking about drinking water, having a snack … or all those things I "have to do" when I have them in during waking hours.

So, my question is: Does anyone out there wear "teeth whitening trays" at night? If so, any comments? Problems? Do the trays "dry out" or otherwise get damaged? Is your therapy as successful as the nights you don't wear the trays?

[PaulaO2]

I have not but you could do an experiment and wear them during the day while also using the CPAP and mask. That way you'd be awake and could tell how it is or is not working.

[Sleepster]

I usually wear a night guard with my nasal pillows and chin strap, but on occasion will wear the whitening trays instead of the night guard. I've never had any problems doing this.

The only problem that might arise it that it might be more likely that your jaw will open as you sleep with the whitening trays on. If you don't wake up with air hissing out of mouth, and it doesn't increase your leak rate, then you're all set.

[MAPnea]

Thank you, PaulaO2 for your great idea! And thanks Sleepster for your first-hand report. I'll start with Paula's suggestion to wear them during the day to see how it goes then, based on Sleepster's experience, I'll proceed with confidence.