Everyone snores occasionally, but chronic snoring can disrupt your sleep, keep your partner awake at night, and may even be a sign of a more serious medical or dental issue. Unfortunately, there’s not always a permanent solution for snoring, but there are effective treatment options that can help you get a better night’s sleep. Here’s what you need to know.
Permanent Solutions for Snoring
Snoring occurs when your airway is narrowed or blocked during sleep. This disrupts the flow of air, causing the soft palate and throat tissues to vibrate. When we talk about permanent solutions for snoring, it usually means making changes to the anatomy or resolving other physical issues that cause the narrowing of the airway.
Some permanent solutions for snoring include:
- Weight loss (when snoring is caused by obesity)
- Tonsillectomy
- Resolving sinus or allergy issues that block the nasal passages
- Jaw surgery or orthodontics to permanently reposition the jaw
- Reducing alcohol consumption
Snoring is not always caused by obesity, large or inflamed tonsils, blocked nasal passages, alcohol use, or severe orthodontic issues; it may also be caused by a lack of muscle tone in the airway, the anatomy of the mouth and sinuses, certain medications, or the way your jaw is positioned during sleep. Other times, snoring has no clear or obvious cause. In these cases, the permanent solutions listed above are not an option.
Snore Guards: An Effective Treatment for Snoring
Many patients are surprised to learn that their dentist can provide them with an effective treatment option for snoring. At Lindenwold Dental Center, we offer custom-made snore guards that keep your airway open and unobstructed while you sleep. These guards are more comfortable and effective than store-bought options because they are made to fit your mouth.
Snore guards work by repositioning your lower jaw in such a way that the tissues in the airway remain engaged, which means they can’t relax and block the flow of air. These guards also have the potential to alleviate mild cases of sleep apnea, which is caused by the same soft tissue blockage as snoring. There are also snore guards that hold the tongue in place to prevent it from falling into the back of the throat; these are called tongue retaining devices, or TRDs. Some snore guards combine jaw repositioning (also known as mandibular advancement) with tongue retaining features.
Snore guards are not a permanent solution for snoring because they only work when they’re worn; if you sleep without them, you’ll snore again. That said, they are an effective long-term solution for many patients.
Do You Need a Snore Guard?
If snoring is disrupting your sleep or preventing your partner from getting a good night’s rest, a snore guard is a cost-effective, non-invasive treatment option. Snoring alone isn’t necessarily cause for concern, but if your snoring is accompanied by these additional symptoms, it may be a sign that you have obstructive sleep apnea:
- Pauses in breathing during sleep, or waking up gasping for air
- Persistent sleepiness throughout the day
- Poor attention span and trouble concentrating
- Morning headaches and/or sore throats
- High blood pressure
- Mood changes
When you experience any of these symptoms in addition to snoring, it’s a sign that your snoring is more than just a nuisance for you (or your partner), but it may also be having a negative impact on your health. In these cases, it’s even more important to speak with your dentist about your snoring and your potential treatment options.
Learn More About Snoring Therapy
If you’d like to discuss snoring with your dentist, contact us today at 856-783-3777 to schedule an appointment.