Mouth and tongue exercises significantly curb snoring

http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2015-05/acoc-sky050715.php

Public Release: 7-May-2015
American College of Chest Physicians

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a Brazilian study published today in the Online First section of the journal CHEST finds that in patients with primary snoring or mild OSA, oropharyngeal, or mouth and tongue, exercises significantly reduced the frequency of snoring by 36 percent and total power of snoring by 59 percent.

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Treatment of primary snoring varies widely and includes avoiding alcohol and sedatives, avoiding lying flat on the back to sleep, weight loss, treatment of nasal problems, palate and upper airway surgeries, and use of dental sleep devices.

"Past studies have focused on self-reporting questionnaires. New forms of treatment for snoring focusing on objective measures were needed. We tested the effectiveness of oropharyngeal exercises to reduce snoring," said Geraldo Lorenzi-Filho, MD, PhD, study author, "the exercises significantly reduced snoring in our study group."

Exercises included:

Pushing the tip of the tongue against the roof of the mouth and sliding the tongue backward

Sucking the tongue upward against the roof of the mouth, and pressing the entire tongue against the roof of the mouth

Forcing the back of the tongue against the floor of the mouth while keeping the tip of the tongue in contact with the bottom, front teeth

And elevating the back of the roof of the mouth and uvula while saying the vowel "A"

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