Snoring Help All Over the Airways

During this past holiday season, I admit that the television was on a little more than usual.  I could not help but notice some great snoring-help commercials.  From specialized pillows, to specialized mattresses, to the over-the-counter anti-snoring mouth retainers such as ‘Pure sleep’, the plea for help is quite noticeable.

When I first started helping individuals with snoring and apnea conditions over 15 years ago, there were approximately 40 or so professional types of devices for snoring and apnea relief, now over 80!  I can’t even imagine how many non-professional treatment options for snoring are on the market! But what many people don’t realize, although helpful, many of these can mask life-threatening conditions of obstructive sleep apnea or other sleep disorders. Also, not easily reversible side effects can occur, especially with anti-snoring devices inserted into the mouth.

In as little as a few weeks of wearing a mail order device similar to Pure Sleep, noticeable permanent tooth changes may occur. Lisping is one potential side effect that may require orthodontic work to reverse.  Although similar side effects can occur with even the professional devices, it’s important to work directly with a dentist trained in sleep disorders.  There are several ways to help prevent or manage such side effects, and obviously direct supervision is non-existent with mail order treatments.

If you are interested in finding out more about the dangers of over-the counter anti-snoring mouth devices, we encourage you to listen to a previously recorded audio interview, The Dangers of Over-the-Counter Anti-Snoring Devices, with sleep expert Dr. Gail Demko, a general dentist and one of the pioneers of the field of oral appliance therapy that treats snoring and apnea with CPAP alternative.

For more information on how we can help you stop snoring safely and with thorough dental-sleep guidance, call our practice today 630-369-5508.

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