Ask Dr. Chai

It may surprise you to learn that snoring is a sleep disorder. It is a condition with numerous causes, and it is one that your dentist can help you stop.

Snoring is the vibration of respiratory structures (the palate and uvula) and the resulting sound, during air movement while breathing during sleep.   It is a condition that causes an interruption in the sleep pattern, which in turn contributes to symptoms associated with poor sleep-irritability and lack of concentration, as decreased libido. The sleep partner also suffers because of snoring, as their sleep is interrupted by the irritating noise.   They will be happy to know their dentist can help the sufferer to stop snoring.

Snoring can be a dangerous condition.  Men are affected more than women.  It has been suggested that snoring has been associated with having a higher risk of stroke, heart attack, and the heightened risk of developing atherosclerosis. Being overweight contributes to the likelihood of snoring, as the accumulation of fat tissue around the throat obstructs the airways. Those with allergies may be prone to snoring, as the tissues of the throat, aggravated by this condition, increase the likelihood of snoring.

Snoring and sleep apnea (interruption in breathing during) are often associated.  OSA-obstructive sleep apnea occurs when a blockage in the air passage during sleep occurs, causing the muscles to collapse, and causing the patient to gasp.  This cycle repeats throughout the night.  The lowered oxygen levels resulted from the interrupted airflow is contributive to many health problems.  If you snore, but especially gasp, during sleep, it is important that you be diagnosed by your dentist who can help you.  This can actually save your life.

Behavior modification is the first thing that is to be addressed when your dentist helps you to stop snoring.  If the patient is advised to lose weight, stop

smoking; avoid alcohol consumption before bed, and to avoid sleeping in the supine position.   Your medications should also be monitored, as some may contribute to snoring.

There are devices that your dentist can recommend to help you stop snoring.  There is the CPAP mask (continuous positive airway pressure).  The masks regulate a steady stream of air through the nose, which keeps the passages open.

Your dentist can help you stop snoring by recommending Oral Appliance Therapy (OAT).  This involves fitting the patient with a device that is very much like a retainer or athletic mouth guard.  These devices keep the jaw in a certain position, and help reduce bruxism or teeth grinding.     These are usually made of acrylic.  Once optimum jaw alignment has been achieved, the patient usually reports an improvement in sleep quality and by extension, improvement in overall health.

There are also surgical procedures that your dentist can recommend to help you stop snoring. There are the less invasive procedures of removing excess tissues to the more complicated endeavor of surgically developing the upper jaw.

In some cases, nasal surgery may also be necessary.

If you snore, your dentist can help you by assessing your TMJ, or temporo mandibular joint. The specialty surrounding the study of this one joint, known as the tension joint, is a controversial field of dentistry.  When your jaw is assessed, the airway is also is assessed to determine whether there is an obstruction that can in some way impede your ability to breath freely.   Such an assessment is often missed during other assessments.

If you snore your dentist can help by recommending a full mouth reconstruction.  This term refers to a series of procedures that helps perfect the appearance and bite of the teeth, as well as and jaw alignment.  The correction of these two dental issues, by extension allows your dentist to help you stop snoring.

Becoming educated on snoring and sleep disorders is your first step.

If you have any questions about snoring, you can post them here, and our dentist can answer you directly, or you can call for a no obligation appointment to discuss your condition: 1-877-283-0497.