Snoring could cause you to rest poorly, impact how well your significant other rests, and could also indicate the presence of a disorder, such as obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). In today’s blog, your Greenville, TX, dentist is going to talk about how to finally stop snoring, with better home habits and the use a custom-made and custom-fitted oral appliance.
Understanding the Causes
Why do we snore? The noise we hear is caused by partial airway obstruction, which happens as soft tissues in the rear of the mouth and in your throat become too relaxed as you sleep. They collapse and then cut off airflow. As you breathe, air is forced through these passages, vibrating tissues and creating a loud sound. But what factors could make this possible? They vary, but could include large neck circumference, sinus or allergy troubles, a deviated septum, excessive alcohol consumption, sleeping on your back, and issues with the growth and development of your oral structures and tissues. Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) could occur when these same soft tissues cut off airflow completely, so you stop breathing momentarily until the brain weakens, interrupting your sleep cycle and leaving you feeling exhausting, and eventually straining your immune and cardiovascular systems.
Creating an Oral Appliance
To help stop chronic snoring, and also offer relief for those with OSA, we may suggest an oral splint. The sleep appliance will be created based on a series of detailed images and measurements we take of your entire smile. The information we gather with advanced technology enables our team to design and custom-fit an appliance that looks and fits like a simple mouthguard. However, the device is actually created to repositions the jaw, moving it forward slightly to ensure you breathe without interruption, keeping air passages clear of soft tissues and helping you avoid nightly snores too. The device is easy to clean, comfortable to wear, and more effective than a CPAP machine.
Better Home Habits
You could also help you smile with better at-home habits. For example, at night lie down on your side, not your back. Make sure your bedroom is dark and cool, and try to avoid screen usage right before bed. Avoid excessive alcohol consumption, or avoiding caffeinated products right before bed too. Go to sleep and wake at the same times each day to set a schedule and make the process easier for your body. If you have any questions, then give us a call!
Smith Family Dentistry in Greenville Wants to Help You Sleep
At Smith Family Dentistry, we want to help you avoid the negative impacts of poor sleep. To learn more about the causes and dangers of your snoring, then talk to Dental Sleep Solutions of Greenville by contacting our office at 903-455-0516.