Thinking you snore too much isn’t like thinking you have tooth decay or gum disease. You might not think to immediately seek treatment for snoring like you would if your tooth hurt or if your gums were bleeding. However, snoring too much can have an impact on your overall wellbeing when it isn’t addressed properly, and in some cases, it can even indicate a more serious underlying problem (such as sleep apnea). At our Olathe, KS, dental office, Dr. Lucaci and or team can help you determine if you do snore too much, and whether or not you can benefit from a custom sleep appliance.
The Mechanisms Behind Snoring
For many people, the reason behind snoring is the partial obstruction of their airway. This can occur from mouth or throat tissues collapsing into the airway while they sleep, which forces their breath through a narrower path. This causes the walls and tissues of the throat to vibrate loudly, and the sound of breathing to become louder due to the increased air pressure. The resulting sound is known as snoring, and people who snore chronically may often have an underlying problem with their oral tissues that makes the obstruction more likely every night.
When There’s More at Play Than You Realize
While many people who snore can attribute their condition to a partially obstructed airway, some people’s oral and throat tissues will completely obstruct their airway while they sleep. This causes them to eventually stop breathing altogether, often for several moments at a time, until their brains and body are forced to wake and clear the airway. Recognizing sleep apnea can be difficult because the interruption to your breathing and sleep pattern often go unnoticed. Therefore, many people who have may believe that their only sleep problem is a loud snoring habit.
How to Address Obstructive Sleep Apnea
The good news is that, once you know you have obstructive sleep apnea, you may be able to address it comfortably with a custom-made sleep appliance. The oral appliance can be designed to support your lower jaw in a way that prevents oral and throat tissues from falling into your airway as you sleep. This keeps your airway clear and eliminates the cause behind your snoring as well as your sleep apnea episodes.
Find Out Why You Snore and Learn How to Stop
If it seems like you snore too much, then there may be something more than you realize going on. To find out how to stop snoring or treat underlying sleep apnea, schedule a consultation by calling E-Care Dentistry, PA in Olathe, KS, today at 913-210-1701. We also proudly serve patients from Gardner, Spring Hill, and all surrounding communities.