Snoring help from your dentist
Snoring Mouth Guard in Guelph
York Road Dental makes a custom anti-snoring oral appliance in Guelph to help keep your airway open while you sleep.
Snoring with breathing pauses needs a doctor first. Otherwise, book an assessment or call (519) 824-7333. Open Saturdays; we direct-bill insurers and CDCP.
When Is Snoring a Problem?
Snoring is a problem when it breaks up your sleep or your partner's, or when it leaves you with a dry mouth, a sore jaw or a tired morning. It is usually caused by soft tissue in the throat vibrating as air squeezes past, which is why snoring is so common in Guelph, as it is everywhere.
Common causes include:
A blocked or congested nose
Enlarged tonsils
Extra weight around the neck
Sleeping on your back
Naturally narrow airways
Snoring can also lead to mouth breathing, which dries the mouth and raises the risk of bad breath, cavities and gum irritation. Our team looks at the oral factors that may contribute and tells you what a dental appliance can and cannot do.
You can help yourself too: try sleeping on your side, treat a blocked nose, limit alcohol close to bedtime and keep a steady sleep routine. These steps do not replace an assessment, but they are worth trying while you decide.
Is It Snoring or Sleep Apnea?
Simple snoring is noise, while sleep apnea means breathing pauses during sleep, and the second needs a doctor first. If you or your partner notice gasping, choking or pauses in your breathing, or if you have heavy daytime sleepiness, see your doctor before any dental appliance.
York Road Dental does not diagnose or treat sleep apnea. When we suspect it, we refer you to a physician or a sleep clinic. Your doctor decides what test and treatment you need, and a dental appliance may be part of the plan afterwards.
Gasping or choking at night
Pauses in your breathing that others notice
Strong tiredness during the day
Morning headaches or a dry mouth
These signs are reasons to call your doctor. The Canadian Dental Association says anyone with suspected snoring or sleep apnea needs a medical assessment first; read its position on oral appliance therapy.
How Does a Snoring Appliance Work?
A snoring mouth guard, also called an anti snoring device or stop snoring dental appliance, is a custom oral appliance that holds the jaw slightly forward so the airway stays more open. This lets air flow with less vibration, which can reduce snoring for some people.
The appliance is made for your teeth from impressions, so it is comfortable and non-invasive. It is not a cure. It works while you wear it, and the snoring may come back if you stop. We explain what to expect, and what we cannot promise.
A good fit matters, because the appliance sits in your mouth every night. We check that it is comfortable, that your teeth tolerate it and that your jaw does not feel strained, and we ask you how you and your partner sleep after you start.
Dr. Natasha Kaushal, registered with the RCDSO as a general dentist since 8 June 2018, checks whether an appliance suits you.
A snoring mouth guard made by a dentist differs from a sports guard or a night guard for grinding. It is shaped to change the position of the jaw, not just to cover the teeth.
How Are Snoring Appliances Fitted?
Fitting starts with a check of your teeth and gums and an impression, and it ends with adjustments until the appliance is comfortable. These are the steps:
You can use a stop signal at any time, and we use numbing gel and offer breaks. If your teeth or gums need care first, we do that before fitting, because an appliance puts gentle pressure on the teeth. Check-ups after fitting let us watch your teeth, your bite and your gums, and see how you are sleeping.
How Do You Care for a Snoring Appliance?
Clean your appliance every day, and keep it in its case when it is out. These habits protect it:
Rinse it in cool water each morning
Brush it gently with a soft brush
Keep it in a ventilated case
Keep it away from heat and pets
Bring it to your check-ups
Tell us if your jaw feels sore for more than a few days, if the appliance cracks or if your bite feels different in the morning. We can adjust it. Teeth change over time, so the fit needs checking at your visits.
Is It the Same as a Night Guard?
No. A night guard protects your teeth from grinding, while a snoring appliance moves the jaw to open the airway. If you also grind, tell us, because your dentist can advise which you need. Read about night guards.
A cheap snoring guard from a store or online is not custom, so it may fit badly, rub or shift your bite. A dentist-made appliance is fitted to your teeth and checked by your dentist.
How Do You Pay for a Snoring Appliance?
The cost depends on the appliance, so we do not list one price here. Ask our team about the cost and about in-house payment plans. You can pay by cash, debit, Visa, Mastercard, American Express or e-transfer.
All major insurers can be direct-billed, and some plans cover part of an oral appliance, so check yours. CDCP claims are billed directly to the plan. Co-payments and other charges may apply, so ask our team about costs before treatment. See fees and insurance.
Questions About Snoring Appliances
Can a dentist help with snoring?
York Road Dental can help with snoring that comes from the position of the jaw and tongue. We check the oral factors and make a custom appliance when it suits you. If sleep apnea is suspected, we refer you to a doctor first.
Will an appliance treat sleep apnea?
York Road Dental does not treat sleep apnea. When we suspect it, we refer you to a physician or a sleep clinic, and your doctor decides on treatment.
Is a store-bought snoring guard the same?
A store-bought snoring guard is not the same as a custom appliance from York Road Dental. It is not made for your teeth, and it can fit badly or irritate your gums. Ours is made from an impression and adjusted for you.
Will the appliance feel strange?
A York Road Dental appliance can feel strange at first, and some people notice extra saliva or a sore jaw for a few days. We adjust the fit, and many people settle in. Call us if it does not.
Book Your Snoring Assessment in Guelph
Book a snoring assessment at York Road Dental and your online booking goes straight into our calendar. If you grind your teeth at night, ask about night guards as well.