You’ve switched up your sleeping position, changed your diet, and even moved to your own bed to avoid keeping your partner awake at night. 

But no matter what you try, it just seems like you can’t stop snoring. 

Maybe what you really need is an anti-snoring device. There are mouthpieces that can help you to keep your airways open throughout the night.

In this post, we’ll tell you everything you need to know about an anti-snoring mouthpiece. 

From how it works and why it’s so effective to the best ways to keep it clean, you’ll be an expert in these devices by the time you finish this post. 

What Is an Anti-Snoring Mouthpiece?

Before we get into how to clean your anti-snoring mouthpiece, let’s learn a bit more about why they’re so effective in the first place.

Anti-snore mouthpieces are designed to be worn over your teeth while you sleep. We know that you’re concerned about the potential discomfort these may bring, but the truth is you likely won’t even notice them after a while.

They’re somewhat like wearing a retainer or even teeth whitening trays. They’re also a much easier alternative to more severe stop snoring options, like surgery or a CPAP machine. 

So, how exactly does an anti-snoring mouthpiece work?

Remember that, whatever the underlying cause of snoring is, it happens because your tissues are blocking the airways in your throat and mouth.

This restricted airflow leads to snoring. Additionally, because your airways aren’t fully open, they’re much more likely to vibrate — which intensifies the sound of your snoring. 

Especially if you’ve been diagnosed with sleep apnea, a mouthpiece to stop snoring is especially effective. 

This is because these mouthpieces work to keep your airways as open as possible while you sleep. They also lower the overall amount of resistance in your airways. When you wear the mouthpiece, your tongue will also be much less likely to slip backward, blocking the airways. 

Your throat will be clear of excessive soft palate tissue, mucus, and other things that can cause you to snore. 

The Benefits of a Sleep Apnea Mouthpiece

Now that you know a bit more about how to stop snoring with a mouthpiece, let’s talk about why these devices are so popular. 

As we mentioned earlier, most people feel that they’re a less invasive — and more affordable — alternative to surgery or breathing machines. 

Additionally, they’re compact, light, and travel-friendly. Especially if your work or personal life has you bouncing from one destination to the next? Toting around a sleep apnea machine or even an anti-snoring pillow can sometimes be tough. 

They don’t require any electricity, either — which means they’ll be effective in remote places. They’re also a much more discreet option than a breathing machine, not to mention much quieter than other anti-snoring devices. 

Most of all, people feel that they work quickly. 

In most cases, you should expect to see some results even on the very first night you sleep with your mouthpiece. 

Additionally, you can also look into mouthpieces that are custom-fitted to your teeth. 

This will help to keep the device as secure as possible throughout the night. Especially if you’ve been known to toss and turn, you want to be certain the mouthpiece stays in place. 

Getting a mouthpiece customized to your mouth and teeth ensures that you’ll be comfortable.

It also protects your teeth and prevents them from shifting due to months on end of mouthpiece wear. If you know that your mouthpiece will likely be a long-term solution, then we strongly suggest getting one that’s customized to your mouth. 

Some mouthpieces may use the “boil and bite” method, which means that you can actually fit them on your own. 

Why Keeping the Mouthpiece Clean Matters

By now, we’re willing to bet that you’re giving serious thought to investing in an anti-snoring mouthpiece.

But, since you’re going to wear your device every night, it’s important that you understand what can happen if you don’t take the time to properly clean and disinfect your mouthpiece. 

It’s not just about the general nastiness of wearing a dirty mouthpiece. The truth is that improper care can cause serious problems in your teeth, mouth, and gums. 

Even though we know you brush and floss every night (right?) it’s inevitable that a few specks of food and other junk will still linger in your mouth. This is a breeding ground for oral bacteria. 

And because your mouthpiece isn’t just trapping the bacteria in your mouth and teeth, but actively pressing it into your gums? It can develop into a serious hygiene issue incredibly quickly. 

It can lead to tooth decay, infections in the gums, and other serious oral hygiene issues. Since gingivitis and infections in the mouth can lead to serious health problems — including an increased risk for stroke?

It’s something you need to avoid at all costs. 

Now, let’s take a look at some of the best methods for keeping your mouthpiece as clean as possible. 

How to Clean Your Anti-Snoring Mouthpiece

The good news is that you have several different methods when it comes to properly cleaning your mouthpiece. 

Of course, the most important thing to remember is to brush and floss your teeth every day, at least two times per day. Check out this post for a few awesome brushing tips and techniques. 

Now, let’s take a look at how to keep your anti-snoring mouthpiece sparkling clean.

1. Steps to Take Daily

First of all, you should make it a point to always store your mouthpiece in a cool and dry place. 

Whenever you’re not wearing it, you should keep it in a case to prevent more bacteria from getting into it. 

You might be surprised to learn that using your standard toothbrush and toothpaste on your anti-snoring device is something you should do every day. Make sure that you do so gently, and that you dry it off with a paper towel afterwards. 

2. Weekly Deep Cleans

About once every week, you should give your mouthpiece a more thorough cleaning. 

You can opt to create your own cleaning solution, or you can use denture tablets to get the job done. 

Many people opt to clean their mouthpiece using just white vinegar and water. Ensure that the water stays at room temperatur, so that you don’t accidentally melt or damage the mouthpiece in any way. 

Use one cup of vinegar and one cup of water, and leave the mouthpiece in the solution for about five minutes. Using your toothbrush, give the mouthpiece a gentle scrub while it’s still in the solution. 

Make sure that you rinse and dry it thoroughly afterwards. 

You can also make a solution from baking soda and water. Use about one part baking soda and two parts water. The goal here is to create a kind of a paste. You’ll then apply the paste directly to the mouthpiece. Let it soak in for about three minutes. 

As with the vinegar solution, use your toothbrush to get into the crevices. 

Rinse with cold water afterwards, and dry it well. 

What to Avoid

Never clean your mouthpiece with alcohol, bleach, or any other kind of chemical. 

Not only will this likely seriously damage the device itself. If swallowed, these chemicals could harm you. Denture cleaning tablets or the solutions described above are just as effective — and come without risk. 

You should also avoid using anti-bacterial wipes. Though they may not make you sick as the chemicals we listed above will, they can seriously damage your teeth. 

It’s just not worth it. 

If you notice that your mouthpiece smells odd, has any kind of residue on it, or even that it tastes a bit bitter, you need to clean your device as soon as is possible. 

If the problems persist even after you’ve given it a good cleaning? 

It’s a likely sign that it’s time to get a new mouthpiece. 

Are You Ready to Invest in an Anti-Snoring Mouthpiece?

We hope that this post has helped you to realize not only how effective an anti snoring mouthpiece is, but also the importance of taking good care of it. 

You don’t want to put yourself at risk for bacterial infections and gum disease when what you’re really trying to do is stop snoring. 

Of course, keep in mind that these devices are far from the only products you can use to beat snoring for good. Check out our product reviews, as well as the additional advice we have to offer about how to stop snoring naturally. 

Isn’t it time you got a good night’s sleep again?

As always, we hope you found this article “Keeping It Clean: How to Clean Your Anti-Snoring Mouthpiece” both informative and entertaining. If you did, may we ask that you share it with your friends and family through social media. It really helps us a lot and is greatly appreciated!