UNDATED (MAYO) -- Sharon Swenson says, "It took a few days to adjust to it, but now I will not go to sleep without it."

The 'it' that Sharon is talking about is a custom fit dental device she wears at night to stop snoring and mild to moderate sleep apnea. She says, "I woke up at 2 o'clock in the morning, 4 o'clock in the morning."

Sharon was exhausted during the day. Her blood pressure was up, and because she was so sleep deprived, it was hard to cope with pain from an old back injury.

Sharon says she was, "Walking, standing in the kitchen. Doing all these things that I do routinely was impaired by the fact that I had sleep apnea."
You see, sleep apnea and snoring can happen when your tongue and soft tissue collapse during sleep and obstruct your airway. C-PAP machines push air in to keep the throat open.

Doctor Kevin Reid practices at MAYO Clinic. He says, "Most people do well with C-PAP. But those who don't love these things."

Doctor Reid says this dental device is custom fit to your mouth. It works by very gently and slightly pulling the lower jaw forward to keep the airway open.
Reid says, "These are very effective at reducing snoring, primary snowing, even in the absence of obstructive sleep apnea."

But before you get one of these devices, Doctor Reid recommends you talk to a sleep physician. That way they can determine if you have any conditions associated with sleep apnea such as cardiovascular disease.

That's what Sharon did. And now her blood pressure is back down, back pain is improved and she's much less tired during the day.

Sharon says, "I am so relieved to be able to get a good night's sleep!"
Doctor Reid says these devices should be fitted for you by a dentist.
And because they very minimally move your jaw forward, your bite may change slightly over time.

http://www.mayoclinic.org/medical-edge/