Are You a Snorer? A Sleep Apnoea Mouth Guard Can Help

Is your spouse nudging you every night to get you to turn over and stop snoring? Are you waking up with a dry mouth because you’ve been snoring all night? Have you been diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnoea? If you answered “yes” to any of these questions, a sleep apnoea mouth guard could possibly solve your problems. 

What is a Sleep Apnoea Mouth Guard?

A sleep apnoea mouth guard is a medical device that keeps your airway open when you sleep. It resembles a sports mouth guard that athletes wear to protect their teeth during a game, but the sleep apnoea version is custom-fitted to each individual user by dentists who have been specially trained in the area of dental sleep medicine. Currently, there are more than 100 types of sleep apnoea mouthpieces available on the market, so you’ll want to discuss which one is best for you with your provider.

How Does a Sleep Apnoea Mouth Guard Work?

While each sleep apnoea mouthpiece works a little differently based on the manufacturer, they all have the same premise, which is to shift your lower jaw forward to open the airway at the back of your throat. It creates extra space for your tongue and soft tissues of the throat to prevent them from blocking your airway. When your airway is open, the snoring stops.

What Are the Benefits of a Sleep Apnoea Mouth Guard Over a CPAP Machine?

Many people who suffer from obstructive sleep apnoea are prescribed a CPAP Machine that opens their airway and provides them with additional oxygen while they sleep. Many snorers, though, have not been diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnoea and are not qualified to get a CPAP machine. A sleep apnoea mouth guard does not require a prescription and is often just as effective as a CPAP machine at opening their airway and preventing snoring. 

Even those who have been prescribed a CPAP machine find that a mouth guard is easier to comply with and more convenient for travel. It can be difficult to have to get a CPAP machine on an airplane, and you certainly can’t stay anywhere where there isn’t electricity (camping is usually out). You can take an “old-school” mouth guard anywhere and never have to worry about it breaking down or needing repairs. 

Other benefits of a sleep apnoea mouth guard include the following:

• They’re more comfortable while sleeping
• They aren’t as cumbersome as CPAP machines
• They are silent (even a CPAP machine can bother a sleep partner, sometimes more than the snoring!)
• They’re affordable

Will a Sleep Apnoea Mouth Guard Work for You?

A sleep apnoea mouth guard is ideal for people who snore or have been diagnosed with mild to moderate obstructive sleep apnoea. Not all snorers have obstructive sleep apnoea, so you don’t have to get diagnosed before having a mouth guard made to fit your mouth. If you experience a dry mouth or sore throat when you wake up, you have fragmented sleep because of your snoring (whether it’s because of a blocked airway or because your partner keeps waking you up), or if you’re excessively tired during the day, a sleep apnoea mouth guard may help you get a better night’s sleep.

Conclusion

Snorers (and their partners) rejoice! There’s a way to stop your snoring without a CPAP machine or surgery. Try a sleep apnoea mouth guard today to see if it works for you.