Snoring has always been a problem for me – or should I say it’s always been a problem for my wife. I’ve tried lots of different “anti-snoring” devices and mouthpieces. Some worked for a little while. Others were a complete waste of money.
I know I’m not alone in my snoring plight. About half of all people will snore at some point in their lives. About 40% of adult men and 24% of adult women are habitual snorers, according to the American Academy of Sleep Medicine.
When I read about VitalSleep, I was impressed. This anti-snoring device claims to be a customized solution, and the mouthpiece is designed to correct the root cause of snoring.
What is VitalSleep?
VitalSleep is a custom-fitted mouthguard for sleep apnea that improves airflow into the lungs. It uses the same method of mandibular advancement that doctors and dentists use.
The VitalSleep device is FDA cleared for the treatment of snoring. It’s made in the USA with FDA-approved, USA-sourced materials.
The company claims to have helped hundreds of thousands of snorers enjoy a more peaceful night of sleep.
To better understand the benefits of this device, you have to understand how it works.
How Does Vital Sleep Work? My VitalSleep Review
Let’s talk about how VitalSleep works and why we snore in the first place.
When we sleep, our throat muscles relax. That sounds like a good thing, right? Wrong. When these muscles relax, they partially block your airways. Every time you take a breath, air travels over those relaxed tissues and causes them to vibrate. It’s those vibrations that create the classic snoring sound.
In a nutshell, we snore because our airways are partially blocked. VitalSleep aims to fix this problem.
The specially-designed mouthpiece gently pushes and holds the jaw forward as you sleep. Moving the jaw forward keeps the airways open, so you can enjoy a quiet, peaceful sleep.
The mouthpiece itself is custom-fitted and adjustable, which allows you to find the perfect fit for your mouth.
Fitting the VitalSleep Mouthpiece
The fitting process is simple and very similar to other mouthguards. The mouthpiece is made with FDA-approved EVA plastic, which is easily moldable when heated in hot water.
- Start by boiling a pot of hot water and allowing it to cool for a few minutes.
- Place the VitalSleep mouthpiece in the hot water, and allow it to sit for 90 minutes.
- Remove the mouthpiece and allow it to cool for a few seconds.
- Place the mouthpiece in your mouth, and bite down.
- Place the mouthpiece in cold water, and allow it to sit for 30 seconds.
The boil and bite process creates an impression of your teeth. This ensures that the mouthpiece fits comfortably and properly while you sleep. The entire process takes 3 minutes or less.
Once you’ve created an impression, you can use the accu-adjust system to further refine the fit. Inside of the mouthpiece, you’ll find screws on the right and left side. Adjusting the screws, using an Allen wrench, will advance the lower tray forward or backward to open up your airways. Don’t worry – the adjustment tool is included.
Care and Maintenance
If you’re like me, you live a busy life. You don’t have time for a complicated care and maintenance routine for an anti-snoring device.
Thankfully, VitalSleep requires minimal care. The mouthpiece comes with a free protective travel case. The mouthpiece’s large openings also allow for easy airflow and make it easy to clean with a simple toothbrush and some toothpaste.
If you’re still worried about germs and bacteria, you can buy the OAP mouthpiece cleaner. The mouthpiece cannot be cleaned in hot water, as this can alter the custom teeth impression.
Most people never bother using the mouthpiece cleaner. It’s easy to simply brush the mouthpiece before bed and in the morning as part of your regular brushing routine.
The Benefits of VitalSleep
VitalSleep isn’t the first anti-snoring mouthpiece to use mandibular advancement to prevent snoring. But there are some benefits to choosing this device over others on the market:
- FDA-cleared for the treatment of snoring
- Made with medical-grade, non-toxic materials
- BPA- and latex-free
- Made in the USA with FDA-approved, USA-sourced materials
- Accu-Adjust system allows for a more personalized fit
- Easy to create teeth impressions
- 2 sizes to choose from: regular for men and small for women (10% smaller)
- Design allows you to sleep in any position
- 60-day money-back guarantee
- 1-year warranty
- Same-day shipping if you order by 3pm EST
VitalSleep is available at an affordable price, but I’ve learned that the company accepts most health savings accounts (HSA) and flexible spending accounts (FSA) cards.
Who is the VitalSleep Mouthpiece For?
VitalSleep may benefit people with:
- Obstructive sleep apnea
- Mild to moderate snoring
If you have sleep apnea, talk to your doctor about VitalSleep. Some doctors will recommend mandibular advancement devices – just like VitalSleep – to help treat obstructive sleep apnea. But just so we’re clear, this mouthpiece is not a replacement for a C-PAP machine. If you need a C-PAP machine for your sleep apnea, please don’t stop using it. Talk to your doctor if you are looking for alternative treatments.
If you have a habit of grinding your teeth, VitalSleep may also help stop this behavior, although it should not be used for this purpose.
Easy to fit and comfortable to wear, VitalSleep has helped thousands of people improve their sleep. I like that this mouthpiece uses a proven method to stop snoring, and it addresses the root cause of the problem. And the customized fit means that you don’t have to constantly move or readjust the position of the mouthpiece in the middle of the night (making it even harder to get a good night’s sleep).
Sleep is just as important as breathing. Quality sleep improves your memory, your focus, your metabolism, your creativity and even your physical coordination. If you’re constantly tossing and turning because of your snoring or if you’re keeping your partner up all night, you may be doing more harm to your health (and your loved one’s health) than you realize.
VitalSleep offers a simple way to fix this problem. If it doesn’t work for you, you can return it within 60 days to get your money back. And the one-year warranty means that you get free replacements if something goes wrong with your mouthpiece.
** This post was originally published on https://www.upliftingmobility.com/vital-sleep-review/
