Snoring Treatment in Montgomery

Smilemakers Comprehensive Dentistry provides Snoring Treatment in Montgomery, AL. Call 334-277-5498 to learn more and schedule your appointment. 

Snoring is the sound made when air flows past relaxed tissues in your throat, causing the tissues to vibrate as you breathe. It’s a common problem that affects almost everyone at one time or another.

Many people occasionally snore and aren’t considered true snorers because their snoring is not habitual or chronic. True habitual snorers typically fall into two main categories: those who snore only when sleeping on their backs, and those who snore loudly every night regardless of their sleeping position.

Common causes of snoring include:

• Sleeping on your back
• Being overweight
• Having a narrow throat
• Enlarged tonsils or adenoids
• Alcohol use, especially before bedtime
• Nasal congestion

Snoring can have a profound impact on those around you. If you’re the partner of someone who snores, you know how disruptive it can be to the quality of your sleep. You may even find yourself sleeping in another room or on the sofa.

As well as being disruptive at home, snoring can cause problems in your professional life. A lack of sleep means that your brain can’t function at its best and can impact your ability to concentrate during the day. 

Snorers may be more likely to experience certain health problems that can lead to even more serious conditions: 

Sleep Apnea. Snoring is associated with sleep apnea, where your breathing repeatedly stops and starts while you sleep. This can make you feel tired during the day and increase your risk of high blood pressure, strokes, heart attacks, or diabetes.

High Blood Pressure/Heart Disease. Snoring is closely associated with high blood pressure and heart conditions. When people don’t get enough oxygen during sleep, the lack of oxygen can cause the body to work overtime to supply the organs with enough oxygen. This raises blood pressure and places extra strain on the cardiovascular system.

Type 2 Diabetes.  Diabetes is also associated with sleep apnea, which can cause poor blood sugar control and make it more difficult for people with diabetes to manage their condition. 

Depression. A study conducted by Johns Hopkins University found that people who suffered from depression were up to six times more likely to have a sleep breathing disorder such as snoring or sleep apnea than those without depression.

The two main ways to diagnose snoring and its causes are: 

Clinical history. Your dentist will ask you questions about snoring and sleep apnea. If you have a bed partner, your dentist may ask them questions. In some cases, your dentist may recommend a sleep study to determine if you have sleep apnea.

Diagnostic testing. These tests may include X-rays of the jaw, dental impressions, or CT scans of your mouth and jaw.

Treatment for snoring depends on what’s causing it. The most common causes are nasal or throat problems and some can be solved with simple changes.

Treatment may include:

• Nasal strips or other devices to keep your nasal passages open while you sleep.
• Wearing a dental appliance to maintain an unobstructed, open airway while you sleep.
• Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) for people with sleep apnea to keep the airway open.

Call 334-277-5498 to schedule an appointment with a dentist in Montgomery, AL today!