Snoring and Sleep Apnea Mouth Piece

It aligns the lower jaw with the upper jaw where the wearer has an over- or under-bite, Making the throat wider, and it forces the wearer to breathe through the nose instead of the mouth.

This mouth guard or dental appliance is held in place by the teeth.

Many different types of sleep apnea mouth pieces (for snoring also) are available, but the most widely used and researched is the Mandibular (jaw) Repositioning Appliance, or MRA - sometimes called a Mandibular Advancing Device (or MAD).

he MRA positions the lower jaw and tongue slightly forward. This opens the back of the throat and reduces tissue blockage, helping keep the patient’s airway open and clear during sleep.

An oral/dental appliance may be recommended to treat snoring, or as an option for patients with mild to moderate obstructive sleep apnea.

In some cases, patients may use it as an alternative for those who cannot use a CPAP (Continuous Positive Airways Pressure) machine for sleep apnea.

These can be specifically designed by dentists or orthodontists with special expertise in the field, and are sometimes adjustable so that the dentist can get the best fit over time.

There are also appliances obtainable over the counter or on the internet with easy instructions to fit at home, which are effective at keeping the mouth shut during sleep and thereby stopping snoring and helping apnea.

These are usually softened in hot water, and then placed in the mouth to fit. They are usually a purchased at a reasonable price, and they may be sourced on the web.

The tongue retaining device repositions the tongue in an forward position, preventing it from falling back into pharyngeal airway (throat). A suction bulb is used to anchor the tip of the tongue to the teeth or lips and hold it forwards.

This sleep apnea dental appliance can have some disadvantages: increase in the production of saliva, soreness of the tongue,dental hypersensitivity and gagging and a perception of an abnormal bite, (feeling uncomfortable with the unaccustomed position of the jaw).

There is sometimes a poor tolerance of the treatment, making it only moderately effective.

I myself found it an effective treatment when coupled with a chinstrap. Combinations of such treatments often produce the best result, depending on the user's personal choice.

If you choose this type of therapy, you should keep in mind that dental devices must be worn every night to have a successful outcome.

They are easy to slip into a pocket and so very convenient, and cleaning can be done when you clean your teeth. They are similar to the devices used by people who grind their teeth in their sleep. There are a few different models available.

You should not use sleep apnea mouthpieces or dental appliances if you have nasal obstruction or epilepsy.

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