Snoring is a loud, obnoxious problem that could mean poor sleep for both you and your significant other. But what can be done to stop, or avoid the issue completely? In today’s blog, your Greenville, TX, dentist will discuss tips for avoiding a nightly snore, and recognizing the presence of a possible sleep disorder.

You Pre-Bedtime Routine

First, snoring means that as you breathe, collapsed soft tissues partially block air passages, so as air is forced through when you sleep a loud sound is created by vibrated soft tissues. To help reduce the risk of this, take steps before bed to promote better sleep and open air passages. To begin, in the two hours before lying down try to avoid large meals, vigorous exercise, or the consumption of alcoholic or caffeinated beverages. Right before going to seep, resist the urge to look at your smartphone while lying down. The blue light the device meets looks like sunlight to your brain, which could make falling asleep harder to do.

An Optimal Sleeping Environment

Also make sure your bedroom is the right environment to obtain a good night’s rest. We suggest keeping your bedroom dark and cool. Try to keep the room free of screens, such as TVs or computers, and keep your work space separate from your bedroom if possible. When you lay down, rest on your side instead of your back to prevent soft tissue collapse. You also help by maintaining a good schedule, going to bed and waking up at the same times every day.

Possible Risk Factors for OSA

Chronic snoring is also a warning sign of obstructive sleep apnea, or OSA, a disorder that causes us to stop breathing completely as air tissue block airflow several times in the night. Risk factors include a family history of sleep issues, a large neck circumference, sinus or allergy issues, a deviated septum, obesity, or excessive alcohol consumption. Symptoms, aside for snoring, include daytime drowsiness, moodiness, troubles staying awake, waking gasping for air or choking, and dry mouth and headaches. If one or more of these other symptoms apply to you, then please let us know. With our assessment and at-home test, we can perform a diagnosis with accuracy and precision, deciding if you need a custom-made oral appliance to rest easy again. If you have any questions about how we treat snoring, or what you can do to promote a better resting environment, then contact our team today.

Smith Family Dentistry in Greenville Offers Treatment

At Smith Family Dentistry, our team wants to ensure both you and your significant other are resting as you should. To learn more about our solutions and treatment options, then talk to Dental Sleep Solutions of Greenville by contacting our office at 903-455-0516.