Did you know the National Sleep Foundation estimates that up to half the U.S. population snores? While it may only seem to bother your sleeping partner, there is no such thing as healthy snoring, especially if it’s related to sleep apnea. Fortunately, a custom sleep appliance/snore guard can help if the apnea is only mild or moderate.
What Causes Snoring/Sleep Apnea?
Snoring happens when the airway becomes obstructed during sleep, whether by the tongue or the soft tissues in the mouth collapsing. It can also be caused by blocked nasal passages. Snoring is often a symptom of sleep apnea, a serious sleep disorder affecting many adults. Sleep apnea can have negative effects on the body that range from daytime fatigue to cardiovascular problems such as high blood pressure and blood sugar issues like type 2 diabetes.
Did you know if you have both hypertension and type 2 diabetes, you are 80% more likely to have sleep apnea as well?
Can Snoring Cause Health Problems?
Snoring itself cannot cause health issues, but sleep apnea, for which snoring is a symptom, does cause or contribute to health issues, including:
- Dry mouth
- Gum disease
- Tooth decay
- Sleep disturbances
- Mood disorders
- Metabolic disorders such as diabetes
- Hypertension (high blood pressure)
- Cardiac arrest/stroke
How a Custom Sleep Appliance Can Help
Our doctors focus on non-invasive procedures to help solve the condition before suggesting more drastic therapies. They may offer a custom oral appliance to help keep the airway open, facilitating healthier, restful, and quieter sleep. The appliance works by repositioning the lower jaw and tongue to keep the airway open and reduce the vibrations in the throat that cause snoring.
By advancing the lower jaw slightly forward, the snore guard can also increase space at the back of the throat. This prevents the collapsing or narrowing of the airway, which leads to snoring and sleep apnea episodes.
Do You Need a Custom Sleep Appliance/Snore Guard in Concord, NC?
You might be surprised that the dentist is among the best people to help with snoring-related issues. If you or someone in your household snores regularly, we’d like to help. Schedule a consultation so we can see if a custom snore guard can help.
