Snoring affects millions of people of all ages, both male and female. An oral appliance to help open the airway during sleep is the most common treatment for snoring problems. In addition, for an estimated 1 in 3 people who snore loudly, an oral appliance made for a potentially deadly condition called sleep apnea may be fabricated. Sleep apnea is a sleep disorder characterized by disruptive snoring and multiple awakenings during the night. In these cases, the blockage of air is so great that no air can get through. A sleep apnea oral dental device is the first line of treatment for mild to moderate sleep apnea. A sleep apnea oral dental device is also indicated for people who have sleep apnea but are unable to tolerate the use of a CPAP machine and mask.
What causes snoring?
Snoring is caused by the vibrations of your soft and/or hard tissue palates; these vibrations occur because of increasingly narrow air passages. When air passes through these passages, a “flapping” sound occurs because the tissue is soft in nature. Surgery (to alleviate the snoring) is not always successful because the sound does not always originate from the soft palate; the snoring sometimes originates from tissues in the upper airway.
Common causes for snoring:
- Smoking
- Alcohol
- Health Problems
- Obesity
- Obstructed Nasal Passages - Deviated Septum
- Poor Muscle Tone of the Tongue
- Daytime Fatigue
- Sleep Apnea
- Hypothyroidism
- Allergies
- Increased Age
How Do I Know If I Have Sleep Apnea?
It is estimated that 1 in 3 loud snorers may have a more serious case of blocked air passages, known as obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS). In these cases, the blockage of air is so great that no air can get through causing repeated awakenings throughout the night. It is estimated that in North America, 2% of women and 4% of middle aged men have sleep apnea and 80 to 90% of those people are undiagnosed. If you wake up un-refreshed, multiple times during the night or fall asleep during the daytime, please consider taking a quick eight questions survey to see if you have sleep apnea. Sleep apnea is linked with cardiovascular disease, diabetes, high blood pressure and can contribute or lead to many other conditions such as stroke, heart attack and depression. It is important to be diagnosed by a medical professional if you experience any sleep-related symptoms; let us help you get on your way to a healthy, peaceful, good nights sleep. Call today!