Do you snore? Well, snoring is a nightmare for everyone listening to this harsh sound, while snorers aren’t even aware of producing such noises. Snoring occurs whenever the muscles in the neck and throat relax, thus narrowing the airway. It mainly happens in older people, overweight individuals, and everyone having an abnormal head and neck anatomy.
Anti-snoring mouthpieces are considered the best solution for snorers. These devices are placed in the mouth and worn while taking a nap or sleeping. They are essential for straightening the relaxed muscles and reducing snoring intensity.
Make sure you discover whether these products genuinely work.
Common causes of snoring
Snoring is a prevalent issue in individuals, affecting nearly forty percent of the adult female population, while almost sixty percent of the adult male population. It occurs in the event of a narrowed or blocked airway, triggering a vibration of the upper airway tissue, which leads to producing loud sounds. It’s induced by a wide range of causes, such as obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Click here to check out a detailed summary of snoring.
People coping with OSA stop breathing for short intervals during sleep without even being aware of it. The moment these individuals resume breathing after, they make a harsh sound similar to snorting. The only time when patients with obstructive sleep apnea don’t snore is when they stop breathing for a few seconds, after which snoring continues.
Another cause of snoring is the use of alcohol and sedative medication. Both alcohol and sedatives are capable of relaxing the tissue that supports the airway. Consequently, individuals are advised not to consume alcoholic drinks or take sedatives a few hours before bedtime.
In addition, head and neck anatomy is considered responsible for snoring in the event of abnormally shaped tissues or structures. For instance, individuals having a deviated septum are believed to snore, as the wall that separates the nostrils is off-center. Also, people with small jaws, large tongues, and tonsils are at greater risk of snoring. The same goes for overweight people having extra tissues in their throats, which in turn restrict the airway.
Moreover, chronic nasal congestion is to blame for snoring, as it reduces the airflow. Such congestion is usually triggered by an allergy, deviated septum, or sleeping in a dry-air environment. Habitual snoring is among the leading symptoms of chronic congestion. Check out this URL, https://www.healthline.com/health/nasal-congestion, to learn the causes of a stuffy nose.
Furthermore, the sleep position is considered to have a tremendous effect on snoring. The majority of people sleeping in a supine position, on their backs, are likely to be habitual snorers. In the supine position, the airway becomes narrower owing to gravity. Switching to a lateral position is known to decrease the intensity of these sounds.
Last but not least, aging is a common risk factor, as individuals tend to become snorers after entering adulthood. The muscles that support the airway gradually lose their strength and become too weak to provide the required support.
How do anti-snoring mouthpieces work?
Anti-snoring mouthpieces are among the most beneficial methods used in the prevention of snoring. These are designed for the purpose of keeping the airway unobstructed when people sleep. The most popular types of anti-snoring devices in the market are mandibular advancement and tongue retaining devices.
The advanced mandibular devices are named after the mandible, referring to the lower jawbone. When a person sleeps, the mandible moves slightly backwards. While such movement is completely normal, it results in snoring in a multitude of people. Nevertheless, MADs reduce airflow restrictions by forcing the lower jawbone to move forward.
As far as mandibular advancement devices are concerned, individuals are provided with a choice of over-the-counter, semi-custom, and fully-custom mouthpieces. When shopping for the best anti snoring mouthpiece, make sure you get a personalized fit. In contrast, tongue retaining mouthpieces require no molding, as their role isn’t related to jaw stabilization. Their function is to ensure the tongue is in a forward position by expanding the area between the tongue and the throat.
Do anti-snoring mouthpieces work?
Many individuals are skeptical about the effectiveness of anti-snoring mouthpieces. Nevertheless, these devices are undoubtedly beneficial in the treatment. For example, anti-snoring mouthpieces are far simpler when compared to CPAP machines, which most people find intolerable. Instead of wearing a mask attached to a machine with a tube, why not wear a mouthpiece? These are easier to manage and more budget-friendly than CPAP machines.
Another reason why anti-snoring mouthpieces work is their ability to strengthen the mouth muscles and the tongue. Once these muscles become weaker, people start producing snoring sounds. When they increase in strength, the harsh sounds will become less loud.
A large number of people prefer anti-snoring mouthpieces, as they aren’t forced into changing their sleeping position. Even back sleepers can continue sleeping on their backs without worrying about the sounds they make. These devices are incredibly convenient to use since you only need to place one in your mouth and tighten it. You can take it with you when traveling, as it takes tiny space and comes with a case.
Nevertheless, there are certain considerations users need to be aware of prior to buying an anti-snoring mouthpiece. For example, people with obstructive sleep apnea shouldn’t expect these devices to eliminate all disorder symptoms, as they only minimize snoring. It usually takes between several days and a few weeks for individuals to get adjusted to wearing such a mouthpiece. Although you’ll feel uncomfortable at first, you won’t be even noticing the object after a while.
While most users expect speedy results, it takes a minimum of six months for these mouthpieces to reduce the noise. People with oral infections, gum disease, loose teeth, dental implants, and crowns are advised against using these devices. Make sure to have a consultation with your dentist prior to taking such a step.
Final thoughts
Snoring shouldn’t be ignored but treated.
You will be surprised by the benefits of anti-snoring mouthpieces!