Do you snore frequently? If so, this could mean both you and your significant other are having trouble obtaining the rest you need to feel alert and active during the day. But our team can help with an oral appliance! In today’s blog, your Livonia, MI, dentist talks about diagnosing and treating your chronic snoring.
The Causes of Snoring
Why do we snore? Risk factors include sinus and allergy issues, deviated septum, sleeping on your back, and excess alcohol consumption before bed. For others, this could be due to collapsing soft tissues, which limits airflow as you rest. When you sleep, air is forced through the air passages narrowed by the factors above. As air is forced through, this vibrates soft tissues to create a loud sound. Often, this interrupts your significant other’s ability to sleep, and could do the same for you, even if you assume you rested well the night before.
The Potential Link to Sleep Apnea
With sleep apnea, the soft tissue collapse we discussed above actually cuts off airflow completely multiple times a night, interrupting your REM sleep and leaving you exhausted and moody the next day. Snoring is a common symptom, along with waking in the night gasping for air or choking and memory issues. Over time, sleep apnea not only interrupts your sleep and impacts your work performance, but can strain your immune system to cause more frequent illness, cause issues with your memory and ability to concentrate, and strain your heart health to increase the risk of heart disease, high blood pressure, and even stroke or heart attack. But we can help with a custom oral appliance!
Solutions with an Oral Appliance
We can discuss changes to your routine, such as resting on your side, avoiding alcohol before bed, and maintaining a regular sleep schedule. But we can also help you stop snoring with an oral appliance, a device that looks like a mouthguard and is worn as you sleep. But this device is actually custom-fitted for your smile and designed to fit comfortably while also shifting your jaw and tongue forward to keep airways open and free of obstruction. The device is easy to use and clean, and can travel with you as needed. Patients find this far more convenient than a CPAP machine, and enjoy a better night’s rest.
If you have any questions about diagnosing and treating your snoring and sleep apnea, then contact our team today to learn more. You deserve a good night’s rest and we want to help!
SCHEDULE A VISIT WITH DR. STEWART TODAY
Our team wants to help you sleep easier and avoid negative impacts on your oral health. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Stewart, call our Livonia, MI, team today at 734-425-4400.
