I have seen ads online for the mouthpieces I can mail order.  Can’t I just do that? Totally hear you—snoring that messes with the peace at homeis no joke. Yes, those mail-order dental devicescan work for some people, especially if your snoring is related to mild obstructive sleep apnea orjust primary snoring (snoringwithout apnea). But there are a few things to keep in mind:

If you have never had a sleep study how do you know it isonly benign snoring?  If you treat itwith a “do it yourself” mouthpiece how will you know you are fully treatingyour sleep apnea?  Do you understand the long-term effects on your body from untreated sleep apnea?

If you have diagnosed sleep apnea, especially obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), it’s best not to jump straight into a mail-order mouthpiece without getting some professional guidance—here’s why:
· Dental devices work best with mild to moderate apnea and primary snoring, but in the presence of other underlying medical conditions it super important to assure it is in the correct position and that is best determined with a follow up sleep study after the device has been titrated by a boarded dentist.  
· If you have underlying TMJ issues and the device is not fitted correctly it can make those issues worse and, in some cases, create TMJ issues.
· If you have dental issues such as untreatedperiodontal disease in improperly fitted dental device can cause issues.
· Mouthpieces can help, but no all are createdequal There are two main types of mouthpieces for sleep apnea:Mandibular Advancement Devices (MADs) – these moveyour lower jaw forward to keep your airway open. Tongue Retaining Devices (TRDs) – these hold yourtongue in place to prevent airway blockage. Mail-order devices tend to be one-size-fits-most,and they can sometimes work, but: They may not fit well (leading to jaw pain, toothmovement, or gum irritation). They may be less effective than custom-fitted ones. They won’t be tailored to the severity of your apnea.

‍The Best Option is to see a sleep specialist either a board-certified sleep physician ora boarded dental sleep medicine dentist. They can: Work together to assure you have an accurate diagnosis evaluate your airway and anatomy, fit you with a custom-made appliance, make sure it’s working with follow-up sleep studies.These devices are more expensive up front but way more effective andsafer long-term.