Using a Mouth Guard for Snoring

Snoring is the subject of a lot of jokes, but the people who suffer from it – or live with someone who suffers from it – aren’t laughing. Excessive snoring is a serious problem that can lead to high blood pressure and a host of other physical problems. And believe it or not, it is also a leading source of marital discord. For many people, a mouth guard for snoring is a simple and effective solution.

The sort of mouthpieces used to treat snoring are called mandibular advancement splints. They are different from the occlusal guards used for teeth grinding, though some makers of occlusal guards claim that their products also cure snoring.

How a Mouth Guard for Snoring Works

Snoring is what happens when your breathing is disrupted during sleep. This happens due to a restriction of either the nasal passage or the throat. A mouthpiece won’t help someone whose snoring is the result of nasal restriction – they should look for something like a nose clip. However, for people who snore because their throat is obstructed, a mouth guard for snoring could help.

Jaw muscles relax during sleep, causing the tongue and other tissue to sag. For some people, this tissue partially blocks air passage through the throat, leading to snoring. A mouthpiece holds the jaw forward, preventing it from relaxing into a position that causes snoring.

How to Get a Mouth Guard for Snoring

Ideally, you should get a custom fitted snoring mouthpiece through your dentist or doctor. However, as with custom fitted occlusal guards, these devices can be very expensive. Many people either can’t or won’t pay the price – at least not until they’ve tried cheaper options.

A standard occlusal guard – particularly the adjustable kind – may do the trick at a fraction of the cost. There are also many devices sold over the counter that are designed specifically to stop snoring. All of these devices will only work to the extent that they hold your jaw in place and prevent tissue from sagging back into your throat (assuming your snoring is throat-based).

Some Final Points to Consider

Before seeking an oral device to solve your snoring problem, you might want to try some of the natural remedies such as:

• sleeping in a different position
• getting into better physical shape
• avoiding alcohol

Finally, if possible, it’s always best to speak with your doctor about an excessive snoring problem. Snoring is a problem in and of itself, but it can also be a symptom of more serious issues such as sleep apnea. In cases like these, a mouth guard for snoring or other devices aren’t going to solve your problem. You will need to get professional treatment.