Quick Answer: Snoring is noise caused by vibrating tissue. Sleep Apnea is silence caused by a blocked airway,you stop breathing. If you wake up gasping, choking, or feeling exhausted despite a full night's sleep, a store-bought mouthguard is not enough and could be dangerous. You need a doctor.
In This Guide
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In our store on West Street, we often see customers buying adjustable beds because "my husband snores like a freight train." We always ask a follow-up question: "Does he ever stop breathing?"
The distinction between simple snoring and Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) is life and death. Snoring is annoying. Apnea is a medical condition that strains your heart, increases stroke risk, and ruins your quality of life.
Trying to treat apnea with a $50 mouthguard from the pharmacy is like trying to fix a broken leg with a band-aid. It might hide the symptom, but the injury remains.
The Sound of Silence (The Apnea Sign)
Brad, our owner, explains it like this:
- Snoring: Continuous rhythmic noise. Rumble... rumble... rumble. The airway is narrow, but air is moving.
- Apnea: Noise, then silence. Rumble... rumble... SILENCE... [10-30 seconds]... GASP/CHOKE. The airway is completely blocked. No oxygen is getting to the brain. The gasp is the brain panicking and waking the body up to breathe.
If you or your partner experience the gasp, stop reading blog posts and call your doctor. You need a sleep study.
Why Store-Bought Mouthguards Can Be Dangerous
If you have undiagnosed sleep apnea, buying a generic "snoring mouthguard" (Mandibular Advancement Device) can be risky.
Here is why: The device might pull your jaw forward enough to stop the sound of snoring (vibration), but not enough to fully open the airway for sufficient oxygen. You might think the problem is fixed because the noise is gone, but you are still suffocating silently.
The False Sense of Security
Silencing the snore without verifying the airflow masks the symptom. This delays proper diagnosis and treatment (like CPAP), allowing the heart damage caused by apnea to continue unchecked.
Medical Dental Devices vs. Drugstore
For mild to moderate sleep apnea, dentists can create custom oral appliances. These are NOT the same as the "boil and bite" guards you buy online.
- Custom Fit: Molded to your teeth to prevent jaw pain.
- Adjustable: The dentist can titrate (adjust) the forward position by millimeters to ensure the airway is actually open.
- Monitored: A dentist monitors your bite and jaw joint (TMJ) to prevent permanent damage.
If you have apnea and hate CPAP, ask a dentist about a custom appliance. Do not trust a $40 gadget to keep you breathing.
Elevation: The First Line of Defense
While you wait for a sleep study, or if you use a CPAP machine, elevation is your best friend.
Gravity makes apnea worse. When you lie flat, the tongue falls back. Elevating the head of the bed 30 to 45 degrees significantly reduces the severity of apnea events (AHI score) by using gravity to keep the airway open.
Many CPAP users find that using an Adjustable Base allows them to lower the pressure setting on their machine, making it more comfortable to wear. The combination of CPAP + Elevation + A Supportive Mattress is the "Gold Standard" for apnea sleep.
Test the Elevation
Visit Mattress Miracle and ask to lie on a Restonic adjustable base. Press the "Zero Gravity" button. Feel how your chest opens up and breathing becomes easier instantly. It is a mechanical advantage you can use every night.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a mattress cause sleep apnea?
A mattress cannot cause apnea (which is anatomical), but a bad mattress can make it worse. If a sagging mattress forces your chin toward your chest (poor neck alignment), it restricts the airway further. A supportive mattress keeps the neck neutral.
Does weight loss cure apnea?
It can. Excess tissue in the neck puts pressure on the airway. Losing weight often reduces the severity of apnea, but it may not cure it completely if the cause is jaw structure or tongue size.
I sleep on my side but still snore/gasp. Why?
Side sleeping usually helps, but if your pillow is too low or too high, your neck kinks, closing the throat. You need a pillow that fills the gap between your ear and the mattress perfectly to keep the "pipe" (airway) straight.
Do nasal strips help sleep apnea?
No. Nasal strips open the nose. Apnea happens in the throat. Opening the nose might stop a whistle, but it won't stop the throat from collapsing. They are ineffective for OSA.
Visit Our Brantford Showroom
Mattress Miracle
441 1/2 West Street, Brantford, ON N3R 3V9
Phone: (519) 770-0001
Hours: Mon-Wed 10-6, Thu-Fri 10-7, Sat 10-5, Sun 12-4
If you use a CPAP, bring your machine in! We can help you find a pillow and mattress that accommodate your mask so you can finally get comfortable.
Related Reading
Sources
- Jacobson BH, Boolani A, Smith DB. Changes in back pain, sleep quality, and perceived stress after introduction of new bedding systems. J Chiropr Med. 2009;8(1):1-8. DOI: 10.1016/j.jcm.2008.09.002
- Radwan A, Fess P, James D, et al. Effect of different mattress designs on promoting sleep quality, pain reduction, and spinal alignment in adults with or without back pain. Sleep Health. 2015;1(4):257-267. DOI: 10.1016/j.sleh.2015.08.001
- Kovacs FM, Abraira V, Peña A, et al. Effect of firmness of mattress on chronic non-specific low-back pain: randomised, double-blind, controlled, multicentre trial. Lancet. 2003;362(9396):1599-1604. DOI: 10.1016/S0140-6736(03)14792-7