Has your partner or roommate complained about your snoring habits?
Recent statistics show that about 90 million American adults snore and a good number of them are not even aware of it. So, if you (or your partner) are facing this challenge, just know that you are not alone.
And because snoring occurs when the soft tissue in your throat blocks air passage, a chin strap (an innovation meant to provide chin support) might sound like a good way to fix the problem.
- But how exactly does a chinstrap work?
- Is a chinstrap even effective?
- And if yes, how do you use a chinstrap?
These questions and much more will be answered below in this stop snoring chin strap review.
What Is A Snoring Chinstrap?
Simply put, a snoring chinstrap is a device that’s typically made using flexible fabric or neoprene material.
The strap is normally put under the chin and then wrapped over the head with the idea of supporting the chin and keeping the mouth shut while one sleeps.
From a theoretical perspective, when the chin is supported and the mouth kept closed, air passes through the nasal path which is a clearer path.
This is unlike the case when the chin is unsupported because the air is forced to pass through the mouth which is typically blocked by the sagging soft tissues thereby producing a rattling sound.
Safe to say, a chin strap is best suited for mouth snorers.
A chin strap for snoring particularly does a good job of improving the flow of oxygen by ensuring that the airway is clear and your brain receives enough oxygen. Besides that, this device comes in handy in supporting your tongue muscles which get paralyzed during the REM sleep cycle.
The ideal posture of the tongue is for it to stay put on top of your mouth. This is the only position that activates the muscles found around the airways. Unfortunately, for snorers, the urge to sleep with an open mouth ends up blocking normal breathing.
See the diagram below:
And so, a system that holds your chin, tongue, and mouth in place would go a long way in helping you overcome snoring and mild sleep apnea problems.
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But What Exactly Are The Causes of Snoring?
As you can imagine, snoring happens when air can’t move freely through your nose or throat while you sleep.
And as the air forces its way out, the surrounding tissues vibrate thereby producing the familiar rattling sound.
Another thing you need to keep in mind regarding the causes of snoring is that people with large and floppy nasal and throat tissues are at a greater risk of snoring than those without.
And as we have already mentioned, the position of your tongue as you sleep can also determine whether you’re going to experience smooth breathing or not.
Since snoring occurs due to different reasons, it is important to first understand the exact cause behind your snoring. It’s only when you’re aware of what causes you to produce that wheezing sound that you can find the right solution for it.
Needless to say, there is no one-size-fits-it-all approach to managing this condition – and a chinstrap is only meant to work in certain situations, not all.
Age
Narrowing of the throat, also known as dysphagia, happens especially as you approach your 50s.
In fact, 40% of Americans aged 40 and above face this challenge.
And as you would expect, as the air passage space reduces, the likelihood of producing a rattling sound (as you struggle to fill up your lungs with air) also increases.
Unfortunately, there isn’t much one can do about aging although anything that helps provide additional support to the throat e.g. tongue exercises and chinstrap use can help.
Too Much Weight
An increase in one’s fatty tissue can lead to a reduction in muscle tone. But we have to be clear about that – just because you’re overweight doesn’t mean you’ll snore.
Carrying too much fat especially around the throat area is what can significantly increase your chances of snoring.
Therefore, by losing weight and combining that with some tongue exercises, you’re likely to put the situation under control. But once again, there isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach to overcoming weight-related snoring problems although a chinstrap can help provide the additional muscle support needed.
It’s Just the Way You Are
This may sound a bit harsh, but for some people, snoring occurs just because of the way they’re built.
Some people are born with enlarged adenoids, others with a cleft palate and even in some cases, some families come with narrow throats.
And because in most cases the problem is hereditary, there is no shortcut other than embracing a change of lifestyle, engaging in throat exercises and adjusting your bedtime routines.
In addition, by using a chinstrap it’s possible to make the most of the available breathing space by clearing the airways.
Lifestyle Problems
It could be that you’re having some lifestyle issues that are leading to the blockage of your airways or nasal stuffiness.
Some examples of habits that can lead to the blockage of the airways or the relaxation of throat muscles include the use of tranquilizers such as valium, alcohol intake, and smoking.
Ultimately, the best solution for snoring in such cases would be to quit the habit. A well-made chinstrap can also improve muscle power thereby strengthening the soft tissues that would, otherwise, interfere with a free flow of air.
Sleeping Posture
Could your sleeping posture be the reason behind your snoring woes?
Well, if you look around, you’re bound to come across people who say “I only snore when I sleep on my back.”
And while it’s true that your sleeping posture can affect your snoring habits, it’s what happens when you’re in particular positions that matters.
Sleeping on your back, in particular, increases your chances of snoring and that’s because of the airway facing a greater likelihood of collapsing.
This happens because of factors related to the force of gravity, the weight of your neck or even the impact of your chest pressing against your internal organs.
In some cases, this can be really serious leading to the complete blockage of the airway. That’s what is called sleep apnea. This is an advanced medical condition and so, if you think you might be suffering from it, we’d encourage you to talk to your doctor about it.
In general, sleeping on the side has been shown to improve the quality of sleep.
In fact, a past study featuring 21 people who snored (but proven to be without sleep apnea), showed that by sleeping facing sideways, it’s possible to reduce the intensity of snoring.
In our view, one should avoid using a chinstrap if they’ve been diagnosed with sleep apnea.
Otherwise, in cases where snoring occurs due to the sleeping position, sleeping in a different posture along with using a chinstrap can, to a large extent, help end the problem.
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Which Type of Snorers Would Benefit From a Chin strap To Stop Snoring?
Just how effective is a snoring chinstrap for snoring?
Well, this garment seems to work best when you need to reduce mouth leaks. It typically comes with a cup which supports the chin and a headgear that resembles the one worn by rugby players.
Therefore, chinstraps seem to work best when used to stop mouth snoring.
So, how do you know that you meet the criteria for using this device?
- (1)If you sleep with your mouth wide open
- (2)If your partner notices air escaping from your mouth when you sleep
- (3)You wake up with a dry mouth
- (4)If you wake up with a painful throat
Likewise, by using a combination of antihistamines and a chinstrap it’s possible to overcome the kind of snoring that occurs due to the blockage of the nasal passage.
That is because the nose is eventually interlinked with your throat. And, therefore, you can breathe better if the tissues around your throat and soft palate are properly supported.
The Benefits of Using A Chinstraps over Any Other Snoring Device
One of the reasons why it’s good to use a snoring chinstrap is that unlike anti-snoring medication, there are no side effects to worry about here.
Likewise, unlike surgery, you don’t have to worry about the pain and the after-surgery care routines.
Compared to mandibular appliance devices (MAD) and tongue retaining devices (TRD), chinstraps are much more comfortable to wear even if it’s all night long. That’s because they’re usually wrapped around the chin and around your head leaving you with a perfect, secure fit.
And although the use of straps has not been approved as a viable treatment method for dealing with sleep apnea, past observations have shown that it can help manage temporary seizures. Other anti-snoring devices may not have any benefits for sleep apnea sufferers.
How to Wear a Snoring Chin strap
The best part about using anti snoring chinstraps is that they don’t require a complex assembly process.
They typically have holes on both sides through which you can fit your ears while you sleep. Toward the bottom is a jaw strap which is the part that holds your mouth together thereby holding your jaws slightly forward.
What’s more?
You simply need to fit this around your head and you’re ready for the bed.
This is a far cry from the typical boil and bite devices whose procedure of use can easily make one anxious. But because it’s a fabric and comes into contact with your skin, you need to clean it up every so often.
Does the Chinstrap Really Work?
If you’re looking for a non-invasive way to manage your snoring problem, a chinstrap is probably the best thing to invest in. If used correctly, a chinstrap can provide you with the comfort you need to enjoy a good night’s sleep.
And it’s easy to confirm if this is, indeed, the kind of issue by checking four signs discussed earlier in this write-up.
In order to get the most out of your chinstrap, though, we recommend combining its use with lifestyle changes.
These may include engaging in exercises for strengthening your tongue muscles, losing weight, and quitting smoking/alcohol.
Wrapping Up
By keeping your mouth closed and gently holding your jaw forward, the chin strap can go a long way in ending your snoring problem.
However, it’s worth noting that this device works by training you to breathe through the nose. Eventually, this can help you get used to breathing through this channel especially if combined with exercises that strengthen the tongue muscles.
On top of that, chinstraps are more economical compared to MADs and TRDs.
And unlike surgery, this option presents you with a pain-free, non-invasive way out of your “saw logging” issues.
So if you or someone you know want to stop snoring and have a great night’s sleep, we highly recommend you trying a proven chinstrap made from high quality material and get rave reviews from thousands of customers worldwide.