An increase in the number of people suffering from snoring has resulted in a boom for anti-snoring devices. The market is flooded with easy- to- use devices which control snoring. While these devices may help you get rid of the noise associated with snoring, they may not help you get rid of sleeping disorders such as sleep apnea, often associated with snoring.
Snoring not only disrupts your sleep and that of your co-sleeper but also leads to complications such as daytime sleepiness, concentration problems, exhaustion and increased risk of car accidents. Some of the other effects of snoring include anger, frustration, and high blood pressure.
An increase in the number of people suffering from snoring has resulted in a boom for anti-snoring devices. The market is flooded with easy- to- use appliances that prevent snoring. While these devices may help you get rid of the noise associated with snoring, they may not help you get rid of sleeping disorders such as sleep apnea, often associated with snoring.
Sleep apnea is a life-threatening sleep disorder characterized by interruptions in a person’s sleep. People suffering from sleep apnea stop breathing in their sleep, several times- sometimes hundreds of times in a single night. This can be fatal as the brain and other parts of the body do not get sufficient oxygen when the person is under the attack. People suffering from the disease awaken frequently gasping for breath.
Sleep apnea has also been known to raise the risks of heart problems, metabolic problems, obesity, hypertension, stroke, heart attack, and cognitive difficulties.
Problems Related To Anti-Snoring Devices
The anti- snoring devices available over-the-counter or through online stores are not the best treatment options to treat snoring. Here are a few reasons why one should strictly avoid these gadgets which claim to treat snoring.
- Do not address the root cause of snoring– Some anti-snoring gadgets such as white noise generators, earplugs, etc. may help you get rid of the noise associated with snoring while leaving serious health consequences untreated.
They don’t actually resolve health issues related to snoring and sleep apnea. Another problem with such devices is that they do not address the snoring directly. As a result, you may be required to buy the device for each member in the house disturbed by the snoring. This remedy can, therefore, be both expensive and complicated.
- Traditional anti-snoring devices can be fatal– Sports guards, mouth guards, and anti-snoring mouthpieces are not meant for treating sleep apnea. A traditional anti-snoring mouth guard can prove to be dangerous for someone suffering from serious sleep apnea.
Some anti snoring devices are mouth guards consisting of an upper and a lower portion which ends up filling most of the mouth. These devices are designed to prevent the airway from collapsing during sleep. Some of these come with air holes in them, while many do not have these holes. The second type of mouth guard can actually make breathing during sleep more difficult if you suffer from sleep apnea.
Also, these devices need to be custom-fit in order to work properly. If you purchase a generic snoring mouth guard over the counter or online, it may not fit your mouth properly and may further obstruct your breathing.
Over-the-counter snoring devices may not be able to stop the collapse of the airway. It is almost impossible to get to know how well they are working and what can be done to improve their function. Over-the-counter anti- snoring solutions are not adjustable most of the time, and when they are, it is difficult to adjust them to get optimal results.
If you are suffering from sleep apnea, you should contact your doctor to get a specialized mouthpiece that can be custom-fit to your mouth. Professional devices can be customized to make sure that the patient gets enough widening of the airway to avoid collapse. They can also be adjusted to make sure that the patient is able to keep the airway open.
- Reduced Snoring May Go Unnoticed
Most people seeking snoring treatment do so when their co- sleeper has complained. The patient stops the treatment or may feel that he no longer needs the treatment when the complaints stop. This type of snoring treatment can leave the disease untreated and it may leave sleep apnea unaffected.
If your partner has got accustomed to a very loud snore, then it may not keep him/her awake. And if he/she is sleeping through snoring, then he/she may not notice if you are choking or having a breathing problem while asleep.
4. Side Effects of Oral Snoring Appliances
If you are planning to go for an oral anti-snoring appliance, it is very important for you to know the potential side effects and complications of these devices.
If you suffer from TMJ, an anti-snoring appliance that changes the position of your upper and lower jaw could make your condition worse.
If you suffer from teeth grinding, wearing an oral appliance can help in preventing tooth wear but it can also make you grind your teeth more, which can cause facial joint damage.
A few of these anti-snoring appliance press against the gum tissue and have resulted in gum and tooth pain in some patients.
Dry mouth is another potential side effect of sleep apnea mouth guards. Another risk which anti-snoring devices pose lie in the material used in their making. Cheap anti-snoring products made out of non-BPA-free plastics can cause diseases like cancer, neurological deficits, and thyroid problems.
The Bottom Line
Many people suffering from snoring try using the anti-snoring gadgets available in the market. But it can be dangerous for you to use any such device without consulting your doctor or dentist.
If your snoring is due to an underlying health problem, using a mouth guard or choosing the wrong model can lead to serious complications.
Sleep apnea is a serious sleep disorder that is often mistaken for simple snoring. Self-treating sleep apnea and using an anti-snoring device to treat it can be very dangerous. If you are suffering from sleep apnea, you should consult your doctor to get the right treatment. Your doctor can also help you get a custom-made mouthpiece that can prevent snoring.