Why Is a Snoring Treatment Necessary?

When there is an obstruction in the airway during sleep that results in loud sounds, snoring treatment from a dentist may be beneficial. Nearly everyone snores at some point, but for some individuals, it is a chronic problem. Although surgery may be recommended for severe cases, there are also oral devices that can reduce the disruptive sound and help you and your partner sleep better.

Signs of a sleep disorder

Obstructive sleep apnea is a sleep disorder characterized by deep snores followed by periods when breathing stops or nearly stops, which may cause sleepers to wake up with a gasp. When this breathing pattern occurs throughout the night, sleep is light and sporadic. Additional symptoms include the following:

• Chest pain in the middle of the night
• Waking in the morning with a sore throat or headache
• Difficulty concentrating
• High blood pressure
• Excessive sleepiness during the day
• Chronic nasal conditions

The dentist may wish to speak with an individual, such as a sleeping partner or parent, if the issue occurs in children. Questions may include whether breathing stops at night or if there are behavioral problems at school.

Causes of snoring

There are four stages of sleep in each cycle, and most people go through four or five cycles per night. During the deeper sleep stages, soft tissues in the upper respiratory tract may vibrate, causing loud sounds. The anatomy of an individual’s mouth may also contribute to snoring. In the upper airway, the adenoids, nasal septum, tonsils, uvula, inferior nasal turbinates, or base of the tongue may cause blockages.

Sleep deprivation and alcohol consumption before bedtime can also contribute to snoring, as both cause the throat muscles to relax to the point that airways are obstructed.

Diagnosing a snoring disorder

Before trying oral devices or conducting sleep studies for snoring treatment, the dentist may recommend lifestyle changes. These may include losing weight, changing sleeping positions, and reducing sedatives. If these do not work, the dentist will go on to diagnose a snoring disorder.

In addition to reviewing the signs and symptoms, the dentist may request an imaging test. Thanks to technology, several options are available. Computerized tomography, MRIs, and X-rays can be used to check the structure of the airways for issues, such as a deviated septum.

Participation in a sleep study may also be recommended. Depending on the severity of the snoring, some studies may be conducted at home. In polysomnography, individuals are connected to a variety of sensors and observed overnight.

Devices for snoring treatment

Poor sleep impacts all aspects of a person’s health and daily life. OSA is a risk factor for stroke and cardiac disease. A dentist may recommend oral appliance therapy as a treatment for individuals with mild to moderate OSA.

MAD

A mandibular advancement device, worn when sleeping, fits like an orthodontic retainer or sports mouth guard. It supports the jaw, keeping it in a forward position to help maintain open upper airways. This type of device is custom-made to fit each patient’s mouth and is especially beneficial for back sleepers.

CPAP

A continuous positive airway pressure machine blows air down a patient’s throat with continuous pressure, keeping the airways open during sleep. This device consists of a mask that fits over the mouth and nose and a motor that blows the air into a tube that connects the two components.

Call our office to learn more

Have you or a loved one been struggling with snoring lately? James R McCawley DDS offers snoring treatment in the Murfreesboro area. Call our office to learn more about our services or to schedule a consultation.

Request an appointment here: http://www.drmccawley.com or call James R McCawley DDS at (615) 526-2497 for an appointment in our Murfreesboro office.

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