Did you know that you can find relief from your chronic snoring problem at your dentist’s office? You probably wouldn’t naturally think of your dentist when seeking better sleep, but the mechanisms behind snoring and the sleep disorder, sleep apnea often originate with your oral tissues. Today, we explain how methods for treating OSA often involve interrupting the processes that lead to snoring, and how you can find relief and the sleep you need at our dental office.
What Causes Snoring?
The sound of snoring results from the over-relaxation of oral tissues when you sleep, such as those in your mouth and throat. As these tissues relax, they can tighten your airway, forcing your breath to squeeze past this constricted tissue and causing them to vibrate. The more these tissues relax, the louder snoring can become, and in some instances, they can completely block your airway.
When Snoring is More than Just a Nuisance
When relaxed oral tissues halt your breathing during sleep, the condition is known as obstructive sleep apnea. After a few seconds, your body panics and wakes enough to start breathing again, though not usually enough to fully wake you. The breathless episodes may only last for moments, but they can occur hundreds of times a night, depriving your mind and body of the rejuvenating rest they need to continue functioning properly.
In many cases, snoring and sleep apnea can be treated with a custom-designed mouthguard worn at night, while you sleep. The device helps keep your jaw in positioned frontward to avoid relaxing tissues from blocking your airway.
Learn More About Snoring and Sleep Apnea Treatment
If you snore consistently or have been diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea, then speak with your dentist about how to treat it. To learn more, schedule an appointment by calling the Sunny Smiles dental office nearest you in El Paso, TX, today! We have offices in the East, Northeast, and Westside of El Paso, and happily welcome patients from all nearby communities, including Chaparral, Canutillo, Vinton, and Sunland Park, New Mexico.