Will A Snoring Mouthpiece Work For Me?
Several years ago, I heard of how Mandibular Advancement Devices (MADs) could help with snoring problems. After looking into the custom-made mouthpieces created by dentists, I found that they cost far too much. This led me to investigate Do-It-Yourself type guards at a fraction of the cost. Before spending the money, I wanted to know if a snoring mouthpiece would work for me.
After a few minutes of research, I came across a couple suggested tests that can be used to determine if a mouthpiece is a viable solution to a snoring problem. There are two types of mouthpieces available - MADs and Tongue Stabilizing Devices (TSDs). Here are some tests to help determine if either product will work.
The Tongue Test
The tongue test is a great way to tell if a TSD might be helpful. Start by laying on your back and relaxing. Recreate the sound of snoring as if you were sound asleep. Then, stick out your tongue just past your front teeth and continue to create the snoring sound. While transitioning between making the snoring sound with your tongue in and out, maintain the same effort and intensity. If you notice that the sound of snoring is greatly reduced or even eliminated with your tongue out, it's possible that a snoring mouthpiece will work.
The Jaw Advancement Test
Another simple test that you can perform at home is the jaw advancement test. This simulates the action of a MAD. Again, lay on your back and relax. Begin to make the snoring sound and, without changing your breathing, move your jaw slightly forward and take note of any change in the sound of snoring. If your snoring is significantly improved, a jaw advancing snoring mouthpiece is likely to be effective.
Will A Snoring Mouthpiece Work For Everyone?
You might be wondering if the snoring mouthpiece is 100% effective. While many have had success using one, a mouthpiece may not be the solution for everyone. Most studies show that they work for somewhere between 80% and 90% of cases, which is higher than any other snoring solution. Since the 1980s, physicians have known about their effectiveness. If you tried the tests and did not have success, it's possible that a mouthguard still may work. Many products offer a 30-day trial with the option for a full refund if it does not work.
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