Snoring happens while you’re asleep. That’s why people usually don’t know they snore. What is snoring? Snoring is the sound that is made while you breathe in air during sleep. It happens when your airway is partially blocked by your soft palate or other soft tissue in the back of your throat. As the air flows past the soft tissue it causes it to vibrate resulting in the noise we call snoring. Take your Livonia, MI dentist, Dr. James Stewart’s true or false quiz below to see how much you know about snoring.
True or False?
- T or F: Only people middle-aged and above snore.
- T or F: Pregnant women don’t snore because it would disturb the fetus.
- T or F: Zero percent of children snore.
- T or F: Everyone who snores suffers from sleep apnea.
- T or F: Men snore more than women after the age of 70.
- T or F: Drinking alcohol, smoking, or taking drugs or relaxants before bed prevents snoring.
- T or F: More adult men snore than adult women.
- T or F: Being overweight can contribute to snoring.
- T or F: Snoring is hereditary.
Answers:
- False: Anyone can snore no matter the age.
- False: Pregnancy increases a woman’s chance of snoring.
- False: The amount of children who snore is estimated to be 10 to 12 percent.
- False: Snoring does not guarantee a person has sleep apnea. Although snoring and sleep apnea have similar causes, a serious symptom of sleep apnea is the temporary suspension of breathing (an apneic event). Not all people who snore experience apneic events.
- False: Regardless of the sex, people are more likely to snore as they age. However, once men become 70 or older they are less likely to snore.
- False: The use of tobacco, drugs, alcohol, or relaxants contributes to snoring.
- True: While 40 percent of men snore, only 24 percent of women do.
- True: Overweight people tend to have more fatty tissue in the back of their throats which relaxes during sleep and results in snoring.
- True: Research indicates that snoring can run in families.
About Dr. Stewart
James R. Stewart, Jr, DDS, PC and our compassionate staff proudly serve patients of all ages from Livonia, Farmington Hills, Plymouth, Northville, Dearborn Heights, Garden City, and all surrounding communities. If you think you or a loved one is dealing with a sleep disorder, call our office today at (734) 425-4400, to schedule an appointment. At Dental sleep Medicine of Michigan, we are committed to forming trusting relationships with our patients so we can work together to achieve sound treatment and a future full of restful nights.
