There is nothing more frustrating than drifting off to sleep only to be woken up 45 minutes later by the rumbling growl of a snoring partner. Not only does the sound of a snoring partner interrupt your sleep, but snoring is also disruptive to the general health of your partner.
Snoring may cause ongoing throat or sinus issues, emotional irritation, and fatigue, the latter to both partners. Thankfully, medical science is on the case and there has been a recent spate of anti-snoring technological advances to help you get a much-needed night of sleep.
Nasal Dilators have become the next thing in snoring prevention. These small disposable dilators do exactly that; stent and dilate the nostrils to allow for clearer breathing during sleep. Sleepers who know their snoring is brought on by nighttime nasal congestion, sinus issues and medical conditions such as a deviated septum respond well to nasal dilators. Other contributors to snoring, such as soft palate vibration, may not respond as well to snoring aids such as dilators.
Not all dilators are the same however and not all are made to the same exacting standards as the top dilators currently available. The following nasal dilators represent the top three in regard to value for money, comfort, and effectiveness.
Mute Snoring
The signature ‘U’ shaped Mute Snoring dilator has undergone extensive testing and results indicate significant benefits for snorers. Over 75% of surveyed respondents reported less snoring, less severe snoring and better overall sleep quality.
The Mute Snoring dilator comes in different sizes and it is important to select the correct size to ensure a good fit and to avoid the dilator slipping out at night. The ribbed paddles of the Mute Snoring dilator set it apart from its competitors by cushioning the nostril comfortably and lessening the chance of it moving out of place during the night.
Like all nasal dilators, for optimal results, it is recommended your Mute Snoring dilator is replaced after a given period for hygiene reasons and to ensure the shape of the dilator hasn’t altered through wear. Mute Snoring dilators are higher priced than the competition, however, they have a robust clinical trial to back up their effectiveness.
SleepRight’s Intra-Nasal Breathing Aid
SleepRight’s Intra-Nasal Breathing Aid’s flesh colored dilator looks quite different to most dilators and flexes so it's one size is suitable for all nose types. The SleepRight Breathing Aid was the inevitable next step for the company who have had a long and successful history of nasal strips to aid in nasal breathing during the night.
The Intra-Nasal Breathing Aid inserts into the nose and gently opens the nasal passages to provide freedom from nasal congestion and clear airways. Like the Mute Snoring dilator, the SleepRight Intra-Nasal Breathing Aid is recommended to be disposed of after a period. Packs of three can be purchased at a reasonable price on the internet or over-the-counter.
Although there have been limited clinical trials regarding the effectiveness of the SleepRight Breathing Aid initial reviews by users of the product look positive and promising.
SnoreCare Nose Vents
At first glance, the SnoreCare Nose Vents appear similar to most nasal dilators on the market, however, SnoreCare’s ribbed, hollow tunnels are as unique to the dilator market as SleepRight’s Intra-Nasal Breathing Aid. Snore Care’s Nose Vents are made of a medical grade silicon for easy insertion and a comfortable fit while remaining discreetly tucked inside the nostrils.
The claims by SnoreCare that their Nose Vents can reduce snoring by not only opening the nasal passage but also by limiting the vibration of the soft palate are what make these dilators truly interesting. These claims suggest their dilator system takes a two-pronged attack on snoring, indicating a better result of eliminating snoring and fewer interruptions to your all-important sleep stages.
Available in four sizes, the SnoreCare Nose Vents require correct sizing to feel the benefits of the product, however, their set of four Nose Vents dilators and free carry case can be purchased for a very reasonable price online.
It is important to understand the cause of your (or your partner’s) snoring to determine if it is due mostly to nasal congestion in which case a dilator may work wonders, or whether there is soft palate vibration involved.
Although we would do nearly anything for a peaceful night of quality sleep, do your research before buying any anti-snoring product. A product that is found in many CVS pharmacies across the United States is Theravent. Although not a nasal dilator, it has been shown to reduce snoring for some users that snore through their nose because it encourages mouth breathing instead.
The SleepRight is a one-size-fits-all nasal dilator that gently opens your nose to increase airflow and alleviate snoring nasal congestion, and allergies. The nasal dilator is latex, BPA, and drug-free.
Once inserted in the nose, the flexible flares expand the nasal passages to increase airflow, while conforming to the shape of your nostrils for comfort.
Unlike many other snoring aids, SleepRight does not use a sticky adhesive backing that could pull on your skin. Because there is no adhesive, you don’t have to worry about skin blemishes on your nose bridge each morning.
The package includes three nasal dilators and each one is reusable for 15 days. You do need to clean the nasal dilator every day with soap and water to prevent infection. SleepRight is available for purchase at Walgreens, Amazon, and other retail locations.
My Experience
First Two Nights
When I first put the SleepRight on, I had a cold feeling in my nose. I also experienced slight agitation, but the sensation and the agitation went away after a few minutes. After inserting the dilator, I could instantly breathe easier. It was almost so easy to breathe that I had to get used to breathing slower for less oxygen!
I quickly got used to the dilator being in my nose and the increased air intake and had no problem falling asleep.
I tested the SleepRight nose dilator with my SnoreLab app to determine if it reduces my snoring. My baseline rate ranges between 15%-40%; which means I snore 15%-40% of the time while asleep. With the SleepRight, my snoring percentage dropped to 13% on the first and second nights.
My app showed me that when using the SleepRight my snoring volume was lower.
For the first few nights, I woke up with a little tenderness around my nose but as I became used to the device the soreness went away.
Future Nights
Based on my initial results, I continued to use the nasal dilator for several weeks. I had nights where the nasal dilator did not work as well to lower my snoring volume.
I couldn’t figure out why this was but suspect there were several factors involved. If I was exhausted and fell into a deep sleep, my snoring volume was loud and unaffected by the nasal dilator.
Snoring volume is typically louder during this type of deep sleep. People with any form, even mild, of lactose intolerance, can snore louder. Weight, alcohol, and other lifestyle conditions can cause various types of snoring. Devices such as nasal dilators will not reduce this type of snoring.
SleepRight Dilator Video
Cleaning
The nasal dilator is easy to clean- just rinse with soap and water. The packaging for the SleepRight says you should replace it every 15 days, but I suspect you can use each one longer than that. If the nasal dilator does not lower your snoring enough, I recommend combining it with an anti-snoring mouthpiece.
Pros
Cons
Overall, I recommend trying the SleepRight nasal dilator if you have mild to moderate snoring. It is very comfortable to use and is available at a good price and is a good value.