Snoring Treatment - Stop Snoring
San Diego, Poway and La Jolla, CA
In itself, snoring may not be a problem: most of us snore at times, and even our pets may snore. It will usually happen if we are congested at all, and sometimes if we are sleeping particularly deeply or in a particular position, such as on our back. If this is the case, snoring need not be addressed with anything more than a decongestant or an elbow nudge that causes the sleeper to roll over. But in other cases, snoring is a chronic problem, can be related to Sleep Apnea, and may lead to serious long-term health problems if left untreated.
What is Snoring?
Snoring is the sound of restricted airflow into the lungs during sleep. When we sleep, the muscles of our mouth and throat relax, allowing the soft tissues to loosen, and this can lead to narrow air passages, which in turn reduce the flow of air into the lungs. With less air, the brain can suffer mild oxygen deprivation, which over time can lead to serious medical problems.
Snoring can become a problem
- If you repeatedly disturb your sleep partner or others in your home
- If you often wake up because of your snoring, and start chronically losing sleep
- If you wake up to catch your breath because you stopped breathing during sleep
Mild snoring will stop when you turn over in sleep. Severe snoring will continue. Chronic snoring can make it hard for you or your sleep partner to sleep. Insufficient sleep causes:
- Fatigue
- Irritation
- Loss of productivity and job performance
- Inattention or drowsiness when driving, even falling asleep at the wheel.
- Depression
- Marital strife
Snoring left untreated for a long time represents a significant oxygen shortage for the brain, for which the body compensates by stressing the cardiovascular system, leading to:
- Heart Disease
- High Blood Pressure
- Other cardiovascular diseases
- Stroke
Dental devices for snoring
The sound of snoring is caused by vibration of the soft palate and tongue. Dental devices prevent the vibration by pulling the jaw and tongue forward to open up the airway more. They are a type of orthotic that you can wear at night. Unlike the continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) mask, which may be necessary for the treatment of Sleep Apnea, this orthotic is a small, self-contained unit that requires no machinery and will not disturb your sleep partner.
In severe cases, surgery might be recommended.
Please contact our office at Carmel Creek Dental to arrange a free snoring treatment consultation and learn more about treatments for snoring that can prevent the long-term negative effects of snoring. Dr. Loye will help you identify the severity of your snoring problem and pinpoint its causes before recommending treatment.
Contact Us
The Dentist that Makes You Smile!
3830 Valley Centre Drive, Suite 702
San Diego, CA 92130
