Quick Answer: Snoring mouthguards (Mandibular Advancement Devices) work by pulling the jaw forward to open the airway, but often cause jaw soreness and drooling. An adjustable bed base offers a non-invasive alternative: elevating the head 7-12 degrees uses gravity to keep the airway open without putting plastic in your mouth.
Reading Time: 5 minutes
It starts with a nudge. Then a shove. Then an elbow to the ribs. Finally, the angry whisper: "Roll over, you're snoring."
Snoring is the number one cause of "sleep divorce",couples sleeping in separate rooms. In our Brantford showroom, we see couples who are desperate for a solution. Often, they ask us if a new mattress will stop the noise. (It might, if the old one is sagging). But usually, they tell us they are considering a snoring mouthguard.
While we don't sell dental devices, we do sell the mechanical alternative that many people prefer: the adjustable base.
How Snoring Mouthguards Work (And Hurt)
Most over-the-counter snoring devices are Mandibular Advancement Devices (MADs). They look like a sports mouthguard.
The Mechanics
Snoring happens when soft tissue in the throat collapses as muscles relax, vibrating as air passes through. A mouthguard forces your lower jaw forward. This mechanically pulls the tongue and tissues forward, widening the airway.
The Downside: While effective, they are intrusive. Imagine sleeping with a hockey mouthguard every night. Common complaints include:
- TMJ (jaw joint) soreness in the morning
- Excessive drooling
- Changes to your bite over time
- The feeling of having a foreign object in your mouth
The "Anti-Snore" Button Solution
There is another way to open the airway that doesn't involve dental work: Gravity.
When you lie flat on your back, gravity pulls your tongue and soft palate backward, closing the throat. This is why back sleepers snore the loudest.
An adjustable power base allows you to raise the head of the bed. Elevating your torso just 10 to 15 degrees changes the angle of gravity. The soft tissue doesn't collapse as easily.
Brad, our owner, loves demonstrating this. He presses the "Anti-Snore" button on our remotes, and the head lifts silently. It is often enough to stop mild to moderate snoring instantly, without waking the snorer.
Cost Comparison: Device vs. Bed
A high-quality, custom-fitted dental appliance for snoring can cost $1,500 to $3,000 from a dentist. Cheap drugstore versions ($50) often fit poorly and fall out.
You can buy a Queen Adjustable Base at Mattress Miracle starting around $1,000 - $1,200. For less than the cost of a custom dental device, you get:
- Snore relief
- Zero Gravity mode (for back pain relief)
- A reading/TV position
- Under-bed lighting (on some models)
And unlike a mouthguard, you can't lose it, and your dog won't chew it.
Comfort: Plastic vs. Zero Gravity
The biggest difference is compliance. Many people buy the mouthguard, wear it for three nights, hate the jaw pain, and throw it in a drawer. It only works if you wear it.
An adjustable base requires zero effort. You press a button. You sleep in a slightly elevated, incredibly comfortable position (like a recliner). There is no plastic to clean, no jaw soreness, and no drool on the pillow.
Local Insight
We often have customers buy an adjustable base for "reading," only to come back and tell us, "My husband stopped snoring." It wasn't the primary goal, but it became the best feature.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will an adjustable bed stop sleep apnea?
While elevation helps, Sleep Apnea is a serious medical condition where you stop breathing. An adjustable bed is a complement to CPAP therapy, not a replacement. Always consult your doctor.
Can I use my existing mattress on an adjustable base?
Most modern foam, latex, and pocket coil mattresses are adjustable-friendly. However, older continuous coil mattresses (with a wire border) will not bend. We can check your current mattress specs to be sure.
Does side sleeping stop snoring?
Yes, usually. Gravity pulls tissue to the side rather than down into the throat. However, sleeping on your side requires a supportive mattress to prevent shoulder pain. If your bed is too hard, you'll roll to your back,and start snoring.
Why do I only snore after drinking alcohol?
Alcohol is a muscle relaxant. It causes the throat muscles to collapse more than usual. Even a slight elevation from an adjustable base can counteract this "floppiness" on Friday nights.
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
Before you spend thousands at the dentist, try the "Anti-Snore" button in our showroom. Bring your partner,they are the one who needs the relief!
Browse Our MattressesRelated Reading
Sources
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- Chen Z, Li Y, Liu R. Ergonomic design and evaluation of bedroom furniture systems for improved sleep quality. Appl Ergon. 2020;82:102969. DOI: 10.1016/j.apergo.2019.102969
- Okamoto-Mizuno K, Mizuno K. Effects of thermal environment on sleep and circadian rhythm. J Physiol Anthropol. 2012;31(1):14. DOI: 10.1186/1880-6805-31-14
- Cary D, Briffa K, McKenna L. Identifying relationships between sleep posture and non-specific spinal symptoms in adults: A scoping review. BMJ Open. 2019;9(6):e027633. DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2018-027633