Sleep apnea is a serious condition, causing millions of Americans to suffer from a poor night’s sleep as well as other potentially serious complications. One of the most common symptoms of sleep apnea involves chronic snoring and issues with interrupted breathing throughout the night.
There are several different treatment options available for sleep apnea suffers. Before committing to a particular option, it is best to talk to your physician to have your sleep apnea diagnosed. Individuals that suffer from a severe case of sleep apnea often require a positive pressure treatment device or CPAP machine to achieve safe, quality sleep.
However, people with mild to moderate sleep apnea can often find significant relief of their symptoms by using a snore guard. It’s worth noting that all snore guards need to be prescribed by a physician or an oral health care professional.
Mandibular advancement snore guards come in several styles and designs. Many of the popular snore guards attach to the teeth and hinge together. These snore guards are designed to hold your mouth and soft palate in the ideal position to allow easy passage of air, thus reducing snoring problems.
Each morning you should clean and refresh the snore guard by rinsing it under water and brushing it with a soft bristled toothbrush and nonabrasive toothpaste. Be sure to thoroughly brush the hinges. If it needs further refreshing, you can soak it briefly in a mixture of water and antiseptic mouthwash.
After rinsing and brushing you should dry the snore guard with a clean paper towel and store it in the case provided.
If you would like to explore your snore guard options, you should Dr. Andrew W Henritze, DDS at (540) 989-6600 to set up a consultation.