Caps for snoring

Snoring usually occurs when the sleeper breathes through the mouth, and the passing air causes the involuntarily relaxed (sagging) soft tissues of the oropharynx to vibrate. In some cases, a device worn at night, the so-called snoring cap, can remove the symptoms of this respiratory disorder.[1]

Indications for use

Special mouthguards (mouth devices or applicators) can significantly reduce habitual  snoring during sleep . But  the causes of snoring  are different, and the indications for the use of caps are rather limited. If excessive body weight, a polyp in the nose, or a deviated septum prevent you from breathing normally in a dream, a mouth guard will not help.[2]

Caps are designed to increase the lumen of the upper respiratory tract by moving the lower jaw forward (by a few millimeters), as a result of which the muscles of the tongue and tissues in the lower jaw are in a tense state and do not fall into the back of the throat.

In some cases, it is advisable to use caps for  sleep apnea  (except obstructive), as well as night bruxism (teeth grinding).

How to use mouth guards for snoring?

If desired, an adjustable or non-adjustable individual anti-snoring sleep guard can be made on the basis of a dental impression. The non-adjustable individual mouth guard fixes the jaws motionless, and the adjustable one makes it possible to adjust the position of the jaws and even move them.

Names for mass-produced mouth applicators include:

• cap from snoring Stop snoring solution (manufacturing country - China);
• snoring cap Anti snore (Antihrap) - also made in China;
• snoring cap Sonight (C-onight) of Russian production;
• adjustable snoring caps SomnoFit-S (Switzerland);
• caps SnoreRX Plus, SomnoGuard SP and VitalSleep (USA), etc.

All of them are made of thermoplastic materials, are designed to adapt to the individual bite and are used in the same way.

According to the attached instructions, in order to get the desired shape, before using a heat-labile mouthguard, you need to:

• heat by placing it in hot water (not higher than +80°С): Stop snoring solution and Anti snore - for 20-25 seconds, C-onight - for five minutes, SnoreRX - for 30-60 seconds;
• remove from hot water and cool for a few seconds in a container of cold water;
• in front of the mirror, place a heated cap in your mouth and close your jaws tightly, that is, bite your upper and lower teeth and hold in this position for two to three minutes. The tongue should be pressed against the palate;
• remove the mouthguard from the mouth and place it again in cold water - to fix the resulting form of bite.

In the future, the mouth guard is put on before going to bed, and during sleep it does not allow the relaxed lower jaw to move back.

Contraindications for use

Among the contraindications to the use of caps from snoring are noted:

• removable dentures;
• dental braces;
• incomplete dentition of the upper jaw (less than seven to nine teeth).
• inflammation of the gums or periodontium (with increased tooth mobility);
• dysfunction of the temporomandibular joint of any etiology;
• inflammatory diseases of the nasopharynx;
• severe degree of obesity;
• epilepsy.

Contraindications include use for children under 12 years of age. First of all, in order not to disrupt the physiological formation of the correct bite, and also due to the fact that most often  snoring occurs with adenoids in children  - due to chronic nasal congestion.

Use during pregnancy is not recommended, since the main causes of snoring during this period are weight gain, as well as swelling of the mucous tissues of the nasopharynx (which is due to increased estrogen levels).

Possible side effects

The use of a mouthguard for snoring can lead to dry mouth, hypersalivation (increased salivation), temporomandibular joint disorder (which causes pain in the jaw and surrounding masticatory muscles).