Sometimes snoring is caused by the tongue falling into the back of the throat when one is sleeping.  This might be because the tongue is just a bit large for the mouth which is something that occurs naturally in some people, or may be because of how a person sleeps.  A snore mouth guard prevents this from happening.  When you sleep on your back your jaw naturally drops down and your tongue then relaxes.  This typically happens for people whose lower jaw is a bit smaller than their upper jaw; if you have an overbite this might be a sign that you're more prone to this type of thing happening when you sleep.  A snore mouth guard forces the lower jaw forward just a bit so that it's less likely to fall open and the tongue is less likely to fall back. 

While this sounds very uncomfortable and even a bit painful, many who use a snore mouth guard report that they get used to it very quickly.  Because a dentist fits it just for you by taking a mold or cast of your jaw, it is not going to move around or fit uncomfortably.  They are also usually very lightweight.  And they work by very carefully pushing your jaw forward; they are not like the old retainer systems that some children needed to wear with their braces where your entire head is thrust into a new position.  After all, what's the point of using a snore mouth guard to keep you from snoring if it then keeps you awake all night because it's so uncomfortable to wear?

Most snore mouth guards look much like the mouthpieces that athletes wear in a boxing arena or for other occasions.  They need to be cared for properly so that they don't bend or get broken, and of course they cannot be shared by anyone since they are fitted personally for you.

Most dentists are able to create a snore mouth guard if you ask them for such.  However, expect them to give you a thorough mouth exam to be sure that your lower jaw is really what is causing your snoring.  It's easy to think that it's your tongue that is blocking the airway in the back of your throat but in reality it is excess tissue on your soft palate.  The soft palate is the area on the roof of your mouth in the back, just above your throat.  When there is excessive tissue in this area it too can cut off that airway.  In a case such as this a snore mouth guard will have little effectiveness.  However, your dentist can help you by performing a minor procedure that cuts away some of this excessive tissue in order to clear up the airway.  This procedure is minor and relatively painless, and these days it is usually done with a laser that eliminates much of the bleeding and cuts down on the recovery time.  If a snore mouth guard can't help with your snoring problem, your dentist can probably recommend this or other options for you.