The chin strap is a simple but highly effective way of reducing or completely stopping snoring. It is estimated by some reports that over 60% of snoring results from the tongue falling to the back of the throat interfering with the breathing airflow causing the vibrations that are heard as snoring.

The major benefit of the snoring strap is that the jaw is kept forward and this helps stop the tongue from falling back and constricting the airways of the throat.

A simple test to see if this is where your snoring is coming from is to place your lower teeth in front of your upper teeth, close your mouth and try and make your usual snoring sound. You may need your partner or a recording of your snoring to help here. By pushing your jaw forward it is stops your tongue falling back and keeps the airways open stopping the snoring. If your snoring has stopped in this instance then a chin strap could help keep your jaw forward and additionally stop your tongue from falling to the back of your throat.

A jaw supporting chin strap also has the added benefit of promoting nose breathing in mouth snorers and also retraining snorers to hold their tongue forward in their mouth. Over time this retraining will lead to the point where the device is no longer required.

These devices are relatively unobtrusive to wear. They have a lot less impact and much greater compliance than some other solutions like cpap or surgery. They do take a few nights to get used to, but most wearers find them comfortable as opposed to annoying.

The chin cushion has the added benefit of stopping the head from falling forward. By holding the head up the airways are held more open making it even easier to breathe. The chin cushion can be more annoying to wear than a chin strap. And some materials can be irritating if the snorer is also a restless sleeper.

Both these products are snoring aids. They can be, and are, helpful for many people. If you are trying to change the way you breathe to over come your snoring these can help, but you have to make the change, the aids wont do it all for you.

Additionally the chance of getting rid of your snoring is greatly enhanced when you make good diet and exercise choices. Lifestyle changes don't necessarily need to be large. For instance most people know within themselves a few little changes they can make to have a healthier diet. A little less fast food and little more fresh fruit and veges is often all that is required.

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