While you sleep, the muscles of your throat relax, your tongue falls backward, and your throat becomes narrow and floppy. As you breathe, the walls of the throat begin to vibrate —generally when you breathe in, but also, to a lesser extent, when you breathe out. These vibrations lead to the characteristic sound of snoring. The narrower your airway becomes, the greater the vibration and the louder you snore. Sometimes the walls of the throat collapse completely so that it is completely closed, creating a condition called apnea (stoping breathing). This is a serious condition which requires medical attention.
Sitting down with a qualified dentist may be just what you need! In more ways than you might realize, snoring can have a significant negative effect on you and those around you. Qualified dentists, such as our doctors, would love to find a way for you to conquer snoring and finally get a quiet night’s sleep!
A Symptom of a More Serious Problem
We may tease Grandpa for snoring on the recliner while “watching” the game, but snoring is no joke. Snoring is sometimes a symptom of a more serious health problem like sleep apnea or carotid atherosclerosis (plaque buildup in the main arteries of the neck), which could cause a stroke. Approximately 90 million Americans snore.
This may disrupt their own and their bed partner’s sleep, leaving them groggy and un-refreshed the next day. Men, women, and children may snore on occasion, but it’s most common in men and individuals who are overweight. No one should have to suffer from this condition. If you or your partner suffer from snoring, call our office today for a consultation to see how we can help.
People who suffer mild or occasional snoring, but wake up feeling refreshed, and function well during the day may first try the following before consulting their sleep doctor:
How can I stop snoring?
When should I talk to my sleep doctor about snoring?
Consult your sleep doctor if you snore and have any of the following symptoms or signs:
Snoring frequently accompanies sleep apnea but it is not always an indicator of whether this sleep condition is present. However, snoring can indicate that bulky throat tissue could potentially obstruct airways – especially if patients have certain lifestyle factors that contribute to sleep apnea. Fortunately, the treatment we offer for sleep apnea and snoring is the same. By prescribing a custom oral appliance, the diameter of the airway can be widened to prevent the sounds of snoring as well as episodes of apnea. These oral appliances are soft and comfortable to wear. They work by positioning the lower jaw slightly forward so that the airway is no longer obstructed.
Anyone of any age can have sleep apnea. Even though snoring can accompany sleep apnea, it is not always a symptom of this sleep disorder. For this reason, it is important to have a sleep study conducted to determine if apnea is occurring. Our practice provides take-home sleep study machinery to detect episodes of apnea during sleep. After usage, the device will be returned to our practice and we will analyze the data collected. If we find that sleep apnea is present or determine if snoring is obstructing one’s quality of life, we will provide treatment recommendations.
The exact cause of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is different for each person. Anyone can develop it, regardless of age or gender. The most common risk factors include:
While CPAP is very effective in treating sleep apnea, many people cannot tolerate the discomfort of the mask and the inconvenience and noise of the machine. Therefore a high percentage of users have difficulty or will not wear them.
An oral appliance is a popular alternative to the CPAP. This device is small, portable, fits more comfortably and can provide similar treatment benefits.
You will have a follow-up sleep study while using your oral appliance to confirm the effectiveness of the device. A consultation with the sleep medicine physician will be necessary to interpret the results.
Because insurance plans vary widely, our experienced team will work with you to see if your insurance company will cover the oral appliance. If for any reason it isn’t covered, we will let you know and work with you to develop a financial plan if needed.
If coverage is available for oral appliances, it will come from your medical insurance carrier. Most dental insurance companies do not cover treatment of obstructive sleep apnea.
Our patients tell us it is well worth the investment of their time and money to treat their sleep apnea because of the improved quality of life they experience.
The majority of patients will adapt to the appliance within 5-10 days. It will take a few days to get used to having a device in your mouth while you sleep. The appliance will not hurt your teeth. If your teeth are sore after initial use, we can easily adjust it for your comfort.
They are made of hard acrylic, which is very durable. They are typically replaced every 3-5 years depending on wear and tear. If you grind your teeth, you may have a more frequent rate of repair or replacement.
A change in your bite is possible. Depending on the position of your teeth and the status of your bone, your teeth may shift. Whith our experience we've minimized the risk of tooth movement dramatically, and the risk can be minimized further with the use of a morning re-positioning device.
The most common side effect is morning muscle soreness that usually goes away after a short time. Some patients may experience either dry mouth or excessive salivation. As mentioned above, minor tooth movement occurs in some patients but is rare when the treatment plan and instructions are followed.
Obstructive sleep apnea is unlikely to decrease with age; therefore your oral appliance will probably be a lifelong therapy. However, certain wellness factors such as significant weight loss may improve your symptoms.
While there are over-the-counter appliances you can order, keep in mind these are not FDA approved for treating sleep apnea. Additionally, when not fitted properly they may cause unwanted side effects such as jaw problems or excessive tooth movement.