Snoring is a common complaint. Whether we snore ourselves, or a loved one wakes us up with their snoring, most of us have had our sleep affected by this bothersome noise at some point.
According to the National Sleep Foundation, 42 percent of adult men and 31 percent of adult women reported that they snore habitually. And when we're sick or aging, our snoring can become worse.
What causes snoring?
Snoring can happen when your breathing causes the tissue in the back of your throat to vibrate. The most common causes of nightly snoring are weight gain, allergies or sinus congestion, and sleeping on your back. Also, anything that causes the muscle tone in your throat or tongue can make snoring worse, such as aging, alcohol, or certain medications.
If I snore, do I have sleep apnea?
Not everyone that snores has osbtructive sleep apnea (OSA), however. Sleep apnea is a serious sleep disorder that causes people to stop breathing periodically while they're asleep. People with sleep apnea will snore loudly, and sometimes make choking or gasping sounds. This not only causes the person to feel extremely tired during the day, but it can also lead to heart disease and other health problems.
How can a dentist help me stop snoring?
While snoring is annoying and sleep apnea is a health risk, there may be a dental solution to your problem. Work with your doctor to determine the cause of your snoring, and then ask if an oral appliance may help you sleep better at night. Dr. Douglas Shafer has created oral appliances to help many of his patients who snore.
Our Beaverton dental office can fit you for an oral appliance. Our team will help create a custom-made oral appliance that fits over your teeth like an orthodontic retainer while you sleep. This appliance then opens your airway by supporting your jaw in a forward position.
Patients report it is convenient, comfortable, and easy to sleep in. They like it because it is easy to wear, and more quiet and portable than other sleep disorder treatments. An oral appliance is not a replacement for a CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) machine, but it is a solution for snoring that can alleviate some of the symptoms of sleep apnea.
Contact us today to see how we can help you sleep better and feel better!
Call 503-579-5060 or request an appointment today.