Snore Guard Information
Will a Snore Guard Help You Stop Snoring?
Snoring is a nuisance not only for snorers themselves, but also for those around them. When a snorer sleeps, the soft tissue at the back of the throat relaxes and partially blocks the airway. Vibration of the soft palate and tissue in the nose, mouth, or throat is what creates the noise that characterizes snoring.
Although there is no miracle cure for snoring, one option is to try a device called a snore guard to prevent snoring from wreaking havoc on your sleeping patterns.
This anti-snoring device is a form-fitting dental mouthpiece that keeps the air passage open and eliminates vibrations.
It aligns your jaw in a forward position to prevent your jaw and tongue from dropping back into the throat. By moving your lower jaw forward, a snoring mouth guard opens the airway enough so that air can move through unobstructed – and snoring ceases.
Also known as a mandibular advancement device, the mouth guard can be used to help control both snoring and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), a common sleep disorder with symptoms that include snoring and intermittent pauses in breathing. It is important to talk with your healthcare provider about your snoring before considering any anti-snoring device.
Mouthpiece Design
A snoring mouthpiece either consists of two pieces that fit your upper and lower teeth and connect with each other, or one piece that fits over your top teeth and keeps your lower jaw in a forward position.
Two-piece mouth guards can often be joined together in different settings, depending on your bite.
A snoring mouth guard can be custom-made by a specialized dentist, or you can purchase a self-molded retainer over the counter. If you use a custom-made snore guard, it’s important to visit your dentist at least once every six months in the first year and once a year after that to ensure that the mouthpiece still fits properly.
To customize the fit of a self-molded retainer, boil the device to soften the material and mold it to your teeth. A component may also be added to a mouth guard to make it adjustable so that the jaw can be moved only as far as required to alleviate snoring.
How to Choose the Right Snoring Mouthpiece
There are hundreds of snoring mouthpieces available from dentists and retailers. For the best results, choose a device that is comfortable to wear and custom fit to your individual needs. It’s also important to select a device that’s FDA-approved and made with safe materials.
Other factors to consider include whether a mouth guard is clinically proven to eliminate snoring and what the device’s success rate is. Also, look for a manufacturer that offers a money-back guarantee so you can return the device if it doesn't solve your snoring problem.
More Snore Guard Information
Causes of Snoring
Snore Pillow
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