A tongue retaining device is pretty much exactly what it sounds like — a device that holds your tongue in place. As snorers ourselves, we understand that snoring isn’t simply a sound that happens in the dead of night to no effect, but a problem that impacts not only the person snoring but their partners and family members. Snoring isn’t just producing noise, it’s actively taking away productivity, long-term health, and joy of life through its contributions to poor sleep. Snoring can get so bad, we’ll do anything we can to eliminate it — including a tongue retaining device.
How Does a Tongue Retaining Device Work?
A tongue retaining device - TRD (also referred to as a tongue stabilizing device - TSD or tongue retainer) is a piece of silicone resin or flexible plastic that is similar to the sort of mouth guard you might see in sports guards or baby pacifiers. It is shaped to comfortably fit in the mouth with one exception — a TSD holds onto your tongue and pulls it gently forward with gentle suction. Keeping the tongue slightly forward prevents restriction to the airway which causes snoring. Keep your tongue sticking out, keep your snoring in!
Every tongue retaining device is a little different but the idea is the same: you place your tongue in a little vacuum chamber at the front of the mouthpiece, give it a little pinch, and the vacuum holds your tongue forward. Though it looks a little bit like a goofy adult pacifier, studies show that a tongue stabilizing device works, decreasing snoring for as much as 68% of users in some cases.
The most popular options available are from Sleep Hero, Genkent, aveoTSD, and Organic Deal, though a side-by-side comparison shows that they all purport to be made with food grade, medical quality, BPA-free, one-size-fits-all silicone that’s ready to use right away — no dentist or doctor approval necessary! While this all sounds pretty great, it’s important to remember that the majority of snoring solutions, including the tongue retaining device, have side effects. For those that a tongue-retaining device stops your snoring, we’re envious! If only it were that easy.
Tongue Retaining Device — What They Don’t Tell Ya
— Soreness - The most common side effect of TSD users is tongue soreness, which isn’t all that surprising considering that you usually don’t stick your tongue out for 6-7 hours at a time! It takes a while for your body to get used to that kind of activity!
— Excess Salivation - Because of the repositioning that a tongue retainer forces, some people salivate more and drool excessively when using a TSD. Alternatively, some users report having difficulty swallowing when wearing one — not great if your saliva is building up!
— Cost & Lifespan - According to the American Sleep Association, a tongue retaining device will set you back between $39 and $490, averaging just under $100. That’s a lot of cash for a device that typically only lasts about a year! At best, you’ll get 2 years of use from your tongue retainer and at worst only 6 months. For the lifetime snorer? It’ll add up!
What Can You Use Instead of a Tongue Retainer?
There are many alternatives to using a tongue stabilizing device — the snoring aid market is large and ever-expanding, with proven solutions to short-lived gimmicks. If you don’t like the idea of putting something in your mouth every night, drooling all over the sheets, or paying for something you’ll wear down every year or so, there’s only one contact-free solution. You should keep in mind that the snoring solution you choose should not compromise your comfort. You should be able to reduce your snoring and sleep comfortably for a refreshing sleep.
The Right Solution?
There are many different reasons why we snore. It is important to uncover the reason in order to find the right snoring solution. So if you are concerned with your snoring, make sure to consult with a physician to find out if there are underlying serious issues in regards to your snoring. On the other hand, if it is just regular snoring, it is definitely worth the time and effort to research the right snoring solution to get the quality sleep you deserve. Why not give Smart Nora a try? Try it risk free and it may be the key to unlocking better nights and fresher mornings.
