Snore Guard

Snore Guard® is a small appliance designed to reduce snoring. It is placed in the mouth during sleep. The product helps stop the jaw and tongue from dropping back into the throat and narrowing or closing the air-way. It substantially reduces snoring by keeping the air passage open.

For "tongue-snorers" or palate-flutterers", a product like this can be helpful. You need to find out, however, what type of snorer you are, in order to choose an effective treatment - see the snoring help page to test yourself.

When some snorers sleep, the muscles and soft tissues in the throat and mouth automatically relax. The lower jaw and tongue drop back, obstructing and narrowing the airway. This causes a greateer velocity of air to flow through the airway during breathing. The greater velocity causes soft tissues in the mouth and throat to vibrate or flutter, creating the snoring sound.

In its most serious form, the airway collapses so much that the lungs cannot get oxygen for up to 30 seconds. This is called obstructive sleep apnea. The body then partially wakes the sleeper to gasp for air. Loud gasping can last for three or more seconds before the sleeper falls back fully to sleep and the whole cycle begins again. Sleep apnea is a serious condition - find out if you have it by taking this test.

Snore Guard® is FDA-approved and must be fitted by a dentist or doctor to ensure it fits your mouth correctly.

How does it work?

According to the manufacturer, the device is worn during sleep, fitting on the upper teeth. To the right, are images of an untrimmed device, and a device trimmed and fitted device for use.

When the lower jaw closes, the lower front teeth naturally strike the ramp and are guided by natural jaw movement to move along the ramp bringing the lower jaw to a more forward position. An aperture in the device between the upper part and the lower part allows the passage of air for mouth breathing and draws the tongue forward. By guiding the lower jaw and tongue to a more forward position, the device achieves a more open airway resulting in significant reduction in snoring.