Not all snoring is the same. The sound might be similar, but snoring can originate from different anatomical locations — and the cause determines the cure. Using the wrong treatment is the most common reason anti-snoring interventions fail.
The Two Main Types
Nasal Snoring
Nasal snoring occurs when airflow through the nose is obstructed, forcing the body to breathe through the mouth or creating turbulence in the nasal passages themselves. Common causes include:
- Allergies causing nasal passage swelling
- Chronic sinus congestion
- A deviated nasal septum
- Nasal polyps
- Enlarged turbinates
If your nasal passages are blocked, the effort of forcing air through the restriction creates the vibrations you hear as snoring. Alternatively, nasal obstruction forces mouth breathing, which then causes oral snoring.
Oral Snoring
Oral snoring originates in the mouth and upper throat. The primary mechanism is the tongue and soft palate relaxing backward during sleep, partially blocking the pharynx. Contributing factors include:
- Low muscle tone in the pharynx (worsened by alcohol, age)
- Sleeping on the back (gravity pulls the tongue backward)
- Excess weight (pharyngeal fat tissue)
- Jaw structure that positions the tongue backward
This is the more common type of snoring and the one that mandibular advancement devices (MADs) and tongue stabilising devices (TSDs) are specifically designed to address.
How to Identify Your Type
The Mouth Open/Closed Test
A simple home test: try to make your snoring sound while:
- Breathing with your mouth open
- Breathing with your mouth closed
If you can reproduce the sound with your mouth open, oral structures are likely involved. If the sound only occurs (or is much worse) with your mouth open, mouth breathing is a key factor. If the sound persists with your mouth closed and air flowing freely through your nose, the obstruction is more likely nasal.
Symptom Clues
Nasal snoring is more likely if you:
- Can reproduce your snoring sound while mouth breathing during the day
- Have known allergies that worsen at night
- Have been told you have a deviated septum
- Find nasal congestion worsens your snoring noticeably
- Wake with a blocked or runny nose
Oral/pharyngeal snoring is more likely if you:
- Wake with a dry mouth or sore throat
- Snore mainly when on your back
- Snore more after drinking alcohol
- Have been told your snoring involves the tongue or jaw position by a dentist or ENT
The Nasal Strip Test
Try over-the-counter nasal strips (like Breathe Right) for a few nights. If your snoring improves significantly, nasal obstruction is likely a primary factor. If strips make no difference, the problem is further down the airway.
Treatment by Type
For Nasal Snoring
Immediate interventions:
- Nasal strips — hold the nostrils open externally
- Internal nasal dilators — small clips or cones that widen the nasal passage from inside
- Saline nasal rinses — reduce congestion and clear the passages
- Nasal steroid sprays (prescription) — reduce chronic nasal inflammation
For allergy-driven snoring:
- Antihistamines and nasal corticosteroids
- Allergen avoidance measures (HEPA filtration, dust mite mattress covers)
For structural causes (deviated septum, nasal polyps):
- ENT evaluation
- Septoplasty or turbinate reduction if conservative measures fail
For Oral/Pharyngeal Snoring
Positional approaches:
- Side sleeping — removes gravity’s contribution to tongue collapse
- Positional therapy devices (chest bumpers, vibrating wearables) to prevent back sleeping
Oral devices:
- Mandibular advancement devices (MADs) — advance the jaw to tighten the pharynx and pull the tongue forward; most effective intervention for pharyngeal snoring
- Tongue stabilising devices (TSDs) — hold the tongue forward with suction; best for people who can’t wear a MAD
For alcohol-related snoring:
- No alcohol within 3 hours of sleep
When Both Factors Are Present
Many snorers have both nasal and pharyngeal contributions. In these cases, combining a nasal intervention with a MAD can produce better results than either alone. Nasal strips plus a MAD is a common effective combination.
When to See a Specialist
If home interventions don’t resolve snoring after several weeks, an ENT or sleep physician can:
- Perform nasal endoscopy to directly visualise the obstruction
- Order a sleep study to rule out sleep apnea
- Prescribe a custom-fitted dental device
- Evaluate surgical candidacy
Persistent snoring despite proper treatment warrants professional evaluation — both because there may be a structural issue better addressed medically, and because undiagnosed sleep apnea should always be ruled out.