Devices to Help You Stop Snoring

Question: What’s something that 40% of women and a whopping 57% of men have in common? Answer: They snore!

Snoring can be annoying to your partner and can cause adverse health effects for you as well. Even if you sleep alone, it is essential to treat snoring before it causes worse conditions. Below are a few snoring treatments available to you, along with the pros or cons of those devices.

ADHESIVE NOSE STRIPS

Adhesive nose strips can be found over the counter at most local drug stores. These rigid strips attach to the outside of your nostrils and open the nasal passages. They were created to relieve nasal congestion and help you breathe better at night. Unfortunately, if your snoring is related to something other than congestion, nose strips will not be the best option.
These are a good option if you need a solution for occasional snoring related to a clogged nose. If you snore because you have sleep apnea, nose strips will not help you. Your sleep apnea is most likely caused by an occluded airway, which nose strips are not designed to alleviate.

NOSE INSERT

Nose inserts work similarly to adhesive nose strips as they open the nasal passages. These tools go inside the nose to keep the nostrils open while you sleep. Unfortunately, they don’t work for everyone.
These may work for people who snore because of a clogged nasal passage but won’t do much for people who snore because of collapsed soft tissue, which causes your tongue to block your airway. Just like nose strips, these are not designed to alleviate snoring from those suffering from sleep apnea.

WEDGE PILLOW

Wedge pillows help prevent snoring by repositioning the head and slightly elevating it. They place your head and throat in a position where gravity keeps your air passages open. When you sleep on a traditional pillow, your tongue and soft tissues can collapse into the back of the throat, causing sleep apnea and snoring.
Wedge pillows are a valuable part of many sleep apnea and snoring treatment plans.

OVER THE COUNTER MOUTHGUARD

There are many over-the-counter mouthguards that advertise a one-size-fits-all approach to treating snoring. Unfortunately, one-size-fits-all won’t treat the unique needs of your mouth. Everyone’s mouth is different, and your mouthguard should be crafted to fit your needs. Over the counter mouthguards are good for a quick fix, but we wouldn’t recommend they be used long term.

MANDIBULAR ADVANCEMENT DEVICES (MAD)

Also known as an oral sleep device, Mandibular Advancement Devices work by moving your lower jaw forward. This opens up your throat and prevents the soft tissues in your neck from collapsing – thus blocking your airway. MADs are crafted to fit your mouth perfectly and treat your specific oral device needs.
These are a great treatment option if you are looking for a solution that lasts.