Snoring mouth guards

Snoring usually occurs when the sleeper breathes through the mouth, and the passing air causes vibration of involuntarily relaxed (sagging) soft tissues of the oropharynx. In some cases, the symptoms of this breathing disorder can be eliminated by wearing a device at night - the so-called mouth guard against snoring. [1]

Indications for use

Special mouth guards (mouth devices or applicators) can significantly reduce the usual snoring in sleep. But the causes of snoring are different, and the indications for the use of mouth guards are rather limited. If excessive body weight, a polyp in the nose or a deviated septum prevent normal breathing in sleep, a mouth guard will not help. [2]

The mouthguards are designed to increase the lumen of the upper airways by moving the lower jaw forward (by a few millimeters), so that the muscles of the tongue and tissues in the lower jaw area are in a tense state and do not descend into the back of the throat.

In some cases, mouth guards are appropriate for night apnea (other than obstructive apnea), as well as nocturnal bruxism (teeth grinding).

How to use a snoring mouth guard?

If desired, an adjustable or non-adjustable custom sleep mouth guard for snoring can be made based on a dental impression. A non-adjustable custom-made mouth guard fixes the jaws in a fixed position, while an adjustable mouth guard allows you to adjust the position of the jaws and even move them.

The names of mass-produced oral applicators include:

• Stop snoring solution mouth guard (country of manufacture - China);
• Anti snore mouth guard (Anti snore) - also made in China;
• C-onight snoring mouthpiece made in Russia;
• SomnoFit-S adjustable snoring mouth guards (Switzerland);
• SnoreRX Plus, SomnoGuard SP and VitalSleep mouthguards (USA), etc.

All are made of thermoplastic materials, assume adaptation to the individual bite and are used in the same way.

According to the included instructions, to get the right shape, the thermolabile mouthguard must be used before use:

• Warm it up by placing it in hot water (not exceeding +80°C): Stop snoring solution and Anti snore - for 20-25 seconds, C-onight - for five minutes, SnoreRX - for 30-60 seconds;
• Remove from the hot water and cool for a few seconds in a container of cold water;
• In front of a mirror, place the heated mouth guard in the mouth and close the jaws tightly, i.e. Bite with the upper and lower teeth and hold in this position for two to three minutes. The tongue should be pressed against the palate;
• Take the mouth guard out of the mouth and put it back in cold water - to fix the bite shape.

The mouth guard is then worn before bedtime, and during sleep it prevents the relaxed lower jaw from shifting backwards.

Contraindications to use

Among the contraindications to the use of drops from snoring are noted:

• Removable dentures;
• Dental braces;
• Incomplete dentition of the upper jaw (less than seven to nine teeth).
• Inflammation of the gums or periodontium (with increased tooth mobility);
• Temporomandibular joint dysfunction of any etiology;
• Inflammatory diseases of the nasopharynx;
• Severe obesity;
• Epilepsy.

Contraindications include use in children under 12 years of age. First of all, in order not to disrupt the physiological formation of the correct bite, and also due to the fact that most often occurs snoring with adenoids in children - due to chronic nasal congestion.

Use during pregnancy is not recommended, since the main causes of snoring during this period are an increase in body weight, as well as swelling of the mucous tissues of the nasopharynx (which is due to increased levels of estrogen).

Possible side effects

The use of a snoring mouth guard can lead to dry mouth, hypersalivation (increased salivation), temporomandibular joint disorder (in which there is pain in the jaw and surrounding masticatory muscles).