Hinged Mouthpieces

Snoring is a complicated issue. It affects not only the health of the snorer, but the well-being of the snorer’s bed partner. You may think you’re the only one suffering, but the toll it takes on the couple can be significant. The National Sleep Foundation states that 31% of couples who sleep in separate bedrooms do so because of a sleep issue. This impacts intimacy and puts a strain on a relationship that can affect waking hours as well. Kicking snoring out of the bedroom can reunite partners in a peaceful sleep. To do so, it’s often necessary to enlist the help of a stop-snoring device. A popular option, with proven results, is a stop-snoring mouthpiece. This device focuses on the airway, keeping it clear while you sleep by expertly positioning your lower jaw or tongue.

With even a slight adjustment to the position of your lower jaw, mandibular advancement devices (MADs) help keep your tongue from falling backward toward your throat. This allows your airway to stay clear for a snore-less night’s sleep. The amount of adjustment you’ll need to stop snoring varies by individual, but always remember to start with the smallest option and gradually increase it until you find the setting that stops your snoring.

One common complaint with mouthpieces stems from a fixed design. Also known as monobloc or boil-and-bite mouthpieces, these particular MADs hold your mouth stiffly in place all night because the top and bottom pieces of the device are bonded together. Often, they only provide a small hole through which to breathe as well. While helping you stop snoring, this style of device can cause jaw stiffness and even make it harder for mouth breathers to have a comfortable night’s sleep. While this type of MAD molds directly to your teeth through the boil and bite process, they’re often made of a bulky, double-layered material with a bulky hard outer shell that houses the moldable portion of the device. This can make the size of mouthpiece itself a contributor to any discomfort you might feel when using it.In order to minimize the potential for discomfort, and make it easier to use a MAD while you sleep, devices like ZQuiet focus on flexibility. With Living Hinge Technology, your mouth has the ability to move while the device is being worn. This hinged snoring mouthpiece provides enough flexibility that you can even speak while wearing the mouthpiece. The design is also thinner with a lower profile overall than boil-and-bite MADs. The sleeker design enhances flexibility as well, leaving more room inside your mouth.Having the ability to move your jaw laterally, while wearing a device that isn’t cumbersome due to its size, reduces the chance of jaw aches, and the hinge gives you the ability to open your mouth wide enough to breathe comfortably. While a fixed design stops your mouth from moving up, down, left, or right, the hinged design relaxes your jaw even if you wear it all night long.

Spouses wake up, at least partially, an average of 21 times per hour when sleeping beside a snoring spouse, according to the Mayo Clinic. This lack of constructive, rehabilitative sleep increases the risk of your spouse suffering similar side effects to your snoring that you may experience such as:

• Decrease in memory
• Slower reaction times
• Difficulty in complex thinking
• Moodiness

These all can result from a lack of sleep, and they all can contribute to straining a relationship. Finding a comfortable, effective stop-snoring device like a hinged mouthpiece can help you kick snoring out of bed and make nighttime a pleasant experience for both you and your spouse.A hinged design is just one feature that makes stop-snoring mouthpieces like ZQuiet so comfortable to use. Learn what other features improve the fit and comfort of these devices, and check out additional information on all types of available snoring mouthpieces.