How can I stop my snoring?
There are a lot of devices that intend to reduce or eliminate snoring. One of these devices is the mandibular advancement device or also known as mandibular splint or MADs.

What is a Mandibular Advancement Device?
MADs are usually small plastic devices more like a sports type mouth guard worn in the mouth during sleep to prevent the soft throat tissues and your tongue from collapsing and obstructing the airway.

How do MADs work?
When you sleep at night, your throat and neck muscles relax like your tongue which causes them to fall back into your throat narrowing the airway. As air passes through the narrowed way, it causes those muscles to vibrate producing the snore sound. Mandibular advancement devices are worn by the snorer at night while he sleeps. The mechanism of this device is to bring your lower jaw forward thereby tightening the soft tissues and muscles so that they do not fall back and thus preventing the user to snore.

What are the different types of MADs?
There are two types of MADs available for all snorers. One is a custom made which your dentist will usually to be the one to fit these special appliances to meet your individual conditions. They can take a mold of your mouth and either send off for a custom mouthpiece or have it done by them. The other type is a device which the size fits for all called as “boil and bite”. This device is made of plastic which you soften by placing in a hot water, biting into the mouthpiece and molding it to your jaw.

Where can I buy Mandibular Advancement Devices?
You can ask your dentist if they are capable of making MADs however you can also buy them online.  For example, Amazon.com offers a whole range of these devices, with some of them costing less than $5!  So browse now and have a restful sleep tonight like you never had before!  Here’s a link that will take you there: Mandibular Advancement Devices

Change Your Sleeping Position

Become a side sleeper. Why’s it work?  Well, when you sleep on your back, your tongue and soft palate will rest on the back of your throat, effectively blocking your airway, thus causing you to snore.  By flipping onto your side, you will keep your airway open and the snoring will stop.  If you don’t think that you’ll be able to stay on your side all night, here’s a trick:  Sew a little pocket on the back of your t-shirt or pajama top and tuck a tennis ball inside.  When you roll over onto it, you’ll be sure to find your side again.

Get Your Head Up

Prop a few extra pillows under your head to stop snoring. This works wonders because when you’re lying flat, tissues in your throat have a way of falling into your air passages, which causes the snoring to start up.

Elevate the head of your bed. Another way to get your head up (and keep it there) is to put a few boards under the legs at the head of your bed.  By raising the legs at the top of your bed, you will start each night in a better sleep position automatically.

If Snoring Is Because Of Nasal Congestion

Sometimes we snore because we’re congested because of colds and allergies.  Inflamed nasal tissues and the extra mucus that comes with colds, interfere with air flow, which in turn causes us to snore.

Take An Antihistamine

If you suspect that you are snoring because of nasal congestion, by all means take an over-the-counter antihistamine before bed.

Nasal Strips

Using nasal strips is also one of the great snoring cures.  They lift open the nostrils, again causing the air to flow freely.

Peppermint Mouthwash

If you suspect that the snoring is temporary due to a cold, then gargling with a peppermint mouthwash will do the trick.  Why’s it work?  The peppermint will shrink the lining of your nose and throat.

More Snoring Remedies

Get A Humidifier

Dry air is the culprit in a lot of snoring cases.  An easy way to remedy the situation would be to make the air in your bedroom more humid, so that your nasal passages stay moist.

Watch The Alcohol

Stop drinking alcohol at least 3 hours before bed.  Why?  Because alcohol causes the muscles of your mouth and throat to relax, thus causing interference with your airway.

Lose A Few

Excess weight constricts the upper airway, so losing as little as 10% of your body weight will go a long way in curing your snoring problem.

When To Call The Doctor

If you’re a very loud snorer who finds themselves not breathing for short periods of time during sleep, there’s a good chance that you have sleep apnea.  This is a potentially dangerous problem that needs not be left untreated.  Other signs that there is a more serious problem than waking your spouse, is if you wake up with headaches or if you find yourself sleepy during the day, every day.