Should anti-snoring dental devices be available over the counter?
For many long-time snorers, the most effective remedy is to sleep with a mouthpiece -- a dental appliance which acts to move the jaw forward slightly and/or reposition the tongue so that airways are less blocked and the soft palate is less likely to vibrate.

Dentists, as you would guess, feel they should be the ones to prescribe and fit such a device.  And, in all fairness, your dentist is indeed most suited to custom-fit and monitor a high end mouthpiece (often referred to as a mandibular advancement device).  Your dentist will review the state of your teeth (if you have loose or false teeth, that may be a clue this is not a good solution for you) and also be able to say whether your sleep disorder is too serious to be treated by a mouthpiece.

The problem, of course, is that your dentist will charge you hundreds of dollars to make or order a custom device for you.  And that's before you even know whether this will be an effective solution for you.  Wouldn't it be better if you could buy a cheap over-the-counter dental appliance that you could fit yourself?  Then, if it works, maybe you would go to the next step and see your dentist about a higher-end model custom-made for you.

The U.S. Federal Drug Administration (FDA) has spent the last couple of years discussing whether to approve intra-oral devices for general sale but as of now only clears them for sale by prescription.  That leaves the U.S. consumer with a choice of going to their dentist or obtaining an inexpensive mouthpiece from abroad.  Fortunately, the Internet makes it easy for an individual to order from a foreign country. 

Two vendors we recommend (both because they advertise with us and because we have successfully used their products) are Sleep Pro and Therapy Control Products.  Both market "boil-and-bite" mouthpieces. Made of soft plastic, you soften the device in hot water, then you mold it your mouth, holding your jaw forward a small amount.  When the mold cools, it is firm but flexible and will keep your jaw slightly advanced while asleep.

Uncomfortable going with a mouthpiece independently of your dentist or doctor?  Here's a low-cost solution:  A British orthodontic technician has introduced a product designed to reduce the cost of determining whether an oral appliance will work for you.  Named DontSnore, the device has more customizability than boil-and-bite products, being adjustable both horizontally and vertically.  Your dentist can buy this cheaply (under $100) and fit it for you.  If your snoring or mild sleep apnea is improved, and it's clear that you can tolerate sleeping with a mouthpiece, then you can move to a more expensive permanent solution. So long as dentists are willing to fit a DontSnore device at a low fee, this may be a good solution for snorers who want to work through their dentist or physician.  Unfortunately the device is available only in Europe, pending clinical trials in the U.S. (the manufacturer is actively soliciting US researchers to run such trials).

• Current FDA Guidance on Intraoral Devices for Snoring and/or Obstructive Sleep Apnea.  See also this October 2004 PowerPoint presentation.

Is this information useful to you? Send us questions or feedback.  And remember, information provided by PutanEndtoSnoring does not substitute for the advice of your physician. 

Snoring in Children: New research links snoring to learning disorders and hyperactivity

Does your child seem to have a learning problem? Does he or she snore?  If so, they may have a sleep disorder.  A  study of 480 children published in this month's Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine says children who snore, have learning issues and/or excessive daytime sleepiness are three times as likely to have sleep disordered breathing.  Although the study was not designed to show this, it seems reasonable to guess that addressing the sleep disorder may also ameliorate a child's learning disability.

Another reason to be concerned if your child snores: Snoring and other symptoms of sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) in children are strong risk factors for the future development of hyperactive behavior, according to a study published in the July issue of Sleep. The study of 229 children between two and 13 years of age shows that those who snore habitually are four times more likely to develop hyperactivity within four years.

What should you do if your child snores?  Well, consult your pediatrician. If they brush off the issue, mention the above studies.  Ask if your child has tonsil and/or adenoid enlargement. If so, surgery to remove the offending tonsils and adenoids has been shown to be extremely effective in helping the young patient sleep better and snore less.  

• More information on snoring in children on our website.

An Anti-Snoring Pillow that Works!
The patented Thera-P-Anti-Snoring cradle pillow is designed to establish correct posture while you sleep.  It features a unique ANTI-SNORING BAR to discourage sleeping on your back. Instead, it encourages side sleeping with your jaw gently supported by the curve of the foam.  $59.95 includes shipping!
Buy or learn more about the Thera-P Pillow.

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Snoreeze Available in U.S.
Throat sprays typically work the same way; they coat your throat with natural oils, so that your throat tissues vibrate less loudly. What sets the sprays apart is quality of ingredients -- and price. The Snoring Shop is delighted to offer Europe's market-leading anti-snoring throat spray, Snoreeze, and proud that we can offer it at a very competitive price.  Snoreeze has all-natural ingredients including peppermint oil which opens your airways and freshens your breath!.  Order here.

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