What causes snoring and how does a snoring guard stop snoring ?

When we sleep our muscles in our Mouth and neck relax, this allows the back of the tongue as well as other soft tissues in the mouth to move toward the throat, this restricts airflow into lungs. Snoring occurs when air flows past these relaxed tissues in your throat, causing the tissues to vibrate as you breathe, which creates those irritating sounds.

How will a snoring guard help to keep this from happening ?

A snoring guard helps this by moving the mandible (lower jaw) forward this also pulls the tongue forward, thereby moving the backside of the tongue away from the posterior wall of the throat and because the palatoglossus muscle attaches from the side of the tongue to the soft palate, pulling the mandible and tongue forward also pulls the soft palate forward, separating it from the back of the throat this process widens the airway permitting air to pass without causing the soft tissue to vibrate.

What is an Occlussal Guard ?

The occlusal guards, also commonly referred to as night guards, occlusal splints, or simply bite splints, are specialized orthotic devices that are designed to prevent the mouth clenching and grinding the teeth at night (bruxism), and thus alleviates the pain, damage and discomfort that come as a result.

How do I know that I might need an Occlussal Guard ?

There are a few warning signs that may indicate you are a strong candidate for using a mouth guard. Below are just some of the symptoms to keep an eye out for:

• Consistently getting headaches in the morning
• Awakening with mild or significant tooth pain
• Experiencing sore or sensitive jaw muscle and face pain
• Feeling that you have not gotten a full night's sleep, even when you go to sleep and wake up at normal times
• Worn and chipping teeth

When would I need to use a sports Guard ?

Mouth guards are an important piece of athletic equipment for anyone participating in a sport that involves falls, body contact or flying equipment. This includes football, basketball, baseball, soccer, hockey, skateboarding, gymnastics, mountain biking — any activity that might result in an injury to the mouth.

What are Mouth Guards and Sports Guards, and how do they work ?

Sports Guards, Mouth Guards and Mouth Protectors are different names for the same thing: a device worn over your teeth that protects them from blows to the face and head. Mouth guards typically cover the upper teeth, and are designed to protect against broken teeth, cut lips and other damage to your mouth. If you wear braces or other fixed dental appliances (such as a bridge) on your lower jaw, your dentist may suggest a mouth protector for these teeth as well.

The three types of guards discussed above are each for a specific purpose and most are available as over the counter one size fits all appliances. That being said these options leave allot to be desired compared to custom made mouth guards. Custom made guards are individually designed and made in your dentist's office or a professional dental laboratory. Not surprisingly, they are likely to provide the most comfortable fit and best protection. Your dentist makes an impression of your teeth and then constructs the mouth guard over a model of them. Because they fit and feel better, most athletes prefer customized mouth guards. Because they are designed well they are less likely to interfere with breathing and speech and because they fit well they are less likely to interfere with sleep after one becomes accustom to wearing a night guard. Because of the labor involved in thier construction they are also the most expensive.