Snoring occurs during sleep from an obstruction to the free flow of air through the passages at the back of the mouth and nose. The tongue and upper throat vibrate together with the soft palate and uvula, causing the air to sound noisy as it flows through these structures. Lifestyle changes usually eliminate most cases of snoring. Snoring devices help prevent snoring if lifestyle changes fail to.
Continuous Positive Airway Pressure
MayoClinic.com recommends using a continuous positive airway pressure device, or CPAP device, to prevent snoring. The device has a mask that attaches to a small pump, which forces pressurized air through the mask. People attach the CPAP mask to their face so that it covers their nose. The air that the pump forces through the mask opens up the airway and helps to keep the tongue and upper throat from rubbing together.
Dental Appliances
Dental appliances are custom-made oral mouthpieces. They provide relief from snoring by advancing the position of the tongue and soft palate. The position change helps to keep the air passageway open. MayoClinic.com says that dental appliances may help to provide relief from snoring but they have the tendency to cause excessive salivation, dry mouth, jaw pain and facial discomfort.
Tennis Ball
According to the American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, people who sleep on their backs experience snoring more often than if they slept on one of their sides. The lower jaw tends to drop down while sleeping on the back, creating a space where the tongue can fall back. The tongue constricts the air passageway, which narrows the canal that allows air to flow. Sewing a sock that holds a tennis ball to the back of the pajamas prevents snoring because it forces the snorer to sleep on either side, but not her back. The snorer stops using the tennis ball after she gets used to sleeping on either side.
Special Pillows
Special pillows prevent snoring in a manner similar to the tennis ball method. The pillows are designed to prevent the snorer from sleeping on her back. The Disability Resource Directory recommends using an adjustable bed along with the special snoring pillows. Sleeping on a bed at an elevation of 30 degrees from the ground keeps the tongue from sliding towards the back of the throat and also stops the jaw from dropping inappropriately. Keeping the jaw and tongue in proper alignment helps to eliminate blockages in the air passageway, thus preventing snoring.
