What are Snoring and Sleep Apnea?

Noisy snoring is usually caused by a restricted airflow at the back of the throat. This happens when the soft tissues there close up, so air has to be forced past them. This causes the soft tissues to vibrate loudly - causing snoring.

Obstructive Sleep Apnea (sleep apnoea) is when the airflow is so restricted the throat completely closes, stopping breathing. This triggers a choke reflex to clear the airway, disrupting sleep. More on sleep apnea...

Snoring and sleep apnea happen when asleep because the jaw muscles go slack, so the lower jaw and tongue fall back, narrowing the airway.

This effect is made worse by laying on your back, causing the lower jaw to fall back more. Snoring is also worse when overweight, or relaxed after a drink or two.

SnoreMender directly addresses the cause of snoring. It is worn at night, like a small soft flexible gumshield, and holds the lower jaw slightly forwards, to open up the airway and stop snoring.

SnoreMender allows normal breathing and the mouth to open and close naturally, while at the same time preventing the jaw from falling back and constricting the back of the throat once asleep.

Simply put the SnoreMender in the mouth before going to sleep, to keep the airway unblocked, eliminating the snoring.

The moulded upper and lower trays fit over the teeth and the hinged SnoreMender allows full movement while preventing the lower jaw from falling back while asleep, even if laying on your back.

Apart from a few days of adjustment when first used, SnoreMender is probably the most comfortable practical solution you will ever find.

From the first time used, you and your partner will get the huge benefits of a good night's sleep together. Even the snorer gets a better sleep, as the snoring can often disturb their own sleep!

Comfort is probably the biggest concern that a new user has and the idea of having something in your mouth for a whole night is disconcerting. How do we allay this concern? Through personal references and the fact that Sleep Well Enjoy Life's principal was a SnoreMender user long before bringing SnoreMender to the USA.

Sleep apnea can have many causes but by far the most common is Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA). A rare cause of sleep apnea is called Central Sleep Apnea (CSA).

Obstructive Sleep Apnea is a physical condition, where the airflow stops during sleep - temporary halted breathing. This is usually because airway is temporarily blocked by the tongue and soft tissues in the throat, causing the sleeper to briefly stop breathing. Sometimes this will wake the sleeper, but often the sleeper will not know this is happening, they will only know that they never get a good night's sleep, and they are very tired during the day.

OSA affects about 4% of men and 2% of women. CSA is a neurological condition and affects under 0.5% of people, and is often associated with heart failure and strokes.

If you have mild to moderate obstructive sleep apnea, then you will usually be recommended to use a mandibular advancement device, such as SnoreMender, for your condition. If it is severe obstructive sleep apnea then you will usually be recommended either a mandibular advancement device, or a CPAP machine (breathing pressurised air from a face mask and pump).