Ah, snoring. It’s one of those quirks that humans all deal with and experience. Some of us out there, however, do it more…intensely than others. We also all know that sleeping next to somebody who snores is never a pleasant experience. But, what about those of us who use stop snoring mouth guards? Are they helping, or hindering our issues?
Do They Actually Work?
The good news is that stop snoring mouth guards DO indeed work. The vast majority of people who use the mouth guards insist that they are safe, and have positive results.
Severe snoring tends to originate in the back of the throat, between the soft palate and the airway. The soft palate is a soft tissue, from which the uvula hangs. The mouth piece will assist in holding back the soft palate, and reinforcing it, which will make the airway open up.
But Are They Safe?
The short answer to this question, is “yes”. The one, main thing that is of concern is the possibility that using a mouth guard will inadvertently “hide” or obscure actual medical problems.
Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) is a serious condition which can be dangerous if left undiagnosed. Having a mild case of OSA can be easily remedied with the use of these types of mouth guards. It’s when OSA becomes progressive and serious that it becomes of concern, and actual Oxygen/CPAP machines may then be necessary instead.
What Are Some Side Effects of Using One?
Side effects of wearing a stop snoring mouth guard are usually quite mild, and don’t pose any real harmful risk. On the other hand, there are also some pretty harmful risks, as well.:
- Increased saliva production
- Dry mouth
- Pain in jaw
- Pain in teeth
- Sore gums
- Occlusion/tooth loss
- Change of otherwise normal jaw positioning and bite into under, over, or cross-bite
- Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) Disorder
- Sleep Bruxism (teeth grinding)
Generally speaking, a lot of deciding factors come down to how the teeth, mouth, and gums are treated, and their current condition of health. If the mouth is in poor health, and in need of serious dental work, mouth guards are probably not a good idea, and have the unfortunate potential of causing more harm than good.
Rubbing and grinding of the teeth and gums (in poor health) inside of mouth pieces can cause injury or infection to the mouth and gums. Special attention must be made to ensuring the correct way to insert and wear the mouth guard. Having a doctor or dentist assist in fitting the mouth device properly is of vital importance, and is worth doing.
Extra Tips
Buying a sleep mouthpiece should be done after conducting a good amount of research on different products. Mouth guards can range in price, anywhere from $15.00 to as much as $300. It’s all about what feels comfortable and natural to the snorer. The more expensive ones are obviously of good quality, but may be a bit too “sci-fi” or impractical for some users.
Mid-range price is usually the way to go, however. Another important consideration to be made is whether there are any allergic reactions to the type of material being used. Some people may not be able to wear silicone-based mouth guards, but can use regular plastic ones instead (sans any harmful chemicals, of course). Try to stay away from any type of cheap dollar store mouth guards you may come across. These have been found to contain harmful BPA in their plastics, and are not approved nor regulated by the any Health or Dentistry Associations (et al. FDA) in North America.
The best and safest choice to make is to talk to a dentist or doctor. Medical professionals can help in finding the best possible option(s) for the right and comfortable mouth guard. There are honestly so many options to choose from nowadays, so there’s definitely something out there for everybody.
If consulting a physician or dentist isn’t an option for some reason, pharmacists at any drug store can be asked. Pharmacists are very knowledgeable about many health-related subjects. Seeking out and following helpful medical advice and pointers can be the key to finally being able to enjoy a quiet, healthy, and good night’s sleep. In fact, it may be the very thing many snoring-sufferers have long needed!
