The incidence of snoring and sleep apnea is increasing worldwide. Snorers and their sleep partners are looking for low cost and simple solutions to their snoring problems. Snoring mouthpieces available on the internet have become a very popular and effective choice.
How stop snoring mouthpieces work
- Snoring occurs during sleep when air is forcefully inhaled through an obstructed narrow airway causing a vibration in the relaxed airway tissues.
- The primary obstruction to sleep breathing is the relaxed tongue which drops back over the airway during sleep.
- The most popular mouthpieces advance the lower jaw and hold the tongue forward during sleep to increase the size of the airway which then stops the snoring. These are called mandibular advancement devices.
How to choose the right anti-snoring mouthpiece
There are over 300 stop snoring mouthpieces available from dentists and various local and online retailers. Almost all of these can help your snoring in some way. Since there are so many options, this comparison will help the snorer understand the benefits and drawback of the various anti-snoring mouthpieces. This review will compare six of the most popular snore guards based on comments from users and evaluation from a professional snoring sleep specialist.
| Pure Sleep | Snore Rx | ZQuiet | QuietNite Z | Vital Sleep | Snore Guard | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Can stop snoring | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
|
Custom thermo-fit (boil and bite) |
✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | |
| 30 day trial | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ||
| FDA approved material | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Expected to last over 6 months | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ||
| Keeps teeth in place | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ||
| Single piece construction | ✔ | ✔ | ||||
| Available without prescription | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ||
| Adjustable, after first fitting | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | |||
| No wires, screws or metal | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Cost + standard US shipping |
$59.90 +$9.95 |
$99.00 +$6.25 |
$59.95 +$9.95 |
$49.98 +$7.79 |
$49.95 +$7.90 |
$59.90 +$7.95 |
| Total Cost | $69.85 | $105.25 | $69.90 | $57.77 | $57.85 | $67.85 |
| Value ranking: | 2nd | 4th | 6th | 1st | 3rd | 5th |
Discussion
- All of these products can help snoring and possibly sleep apnea, if monitored by a sleep specialist.
- The thermo-fit (boil and bite) mouthpieces fit better than the stock ZQuiet but do require some fitting after the mouthpiece is heated.
- The QuietNite Z offers single piece construction which increases the durability of the mouthpiece due to the simple construction.
- Hinges, tools and movable parts of the SnoreRx, ZQuiet and Vital Sleep are subject to failure and are difficult to adjust for some users.
- The Snore Guard requires a prescription in the U.S. and can cause lower jaw irritation as it puts pressure on the gum, behind the lower jaw.
- All of these devices should be considered as introductory oral appliances to see if a mouthpiece can help treat your snoring.
- The QuietNite Z has the most reasonable cost amoung the mouthpieces evaluated.
- If you are successful with any of these introductory anti-snoring mouthpieces, you can get a more durable and comfortable laboratory made snoring mouthpiece.
Conclusion
Each mouthpiece has been shown to help treat snoring. The thermo-fit QuietNite Z is the best choice based on its cost, durability and fast do-it-yourself fitting process.
Dr. Mike Williams, DDS
Member of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine
Member of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine
