Snoring is a common habit, and while some people may never snore, others may do it constantly. In some cases, it can be so consistent that it may have an impact on your health and wellbeing. At our Charles City, IA, dentist’s office, we can often help patients address chronic snoring conditions and help them sleep more peacefully with the help of a custom-designed sleep appliance. If you have chronic sleep apnea – a sleep disorder that can be related to chronic snoring – then an appliance may help you alleviate it, as well.
A Little Bit About Snoring
There are many potential reasons for snoring, but in many cases, the cause can be traced to a partial obstruction in your airway. The oral and throat tissues obstructing it may be overrelaxed, or positioned in a way that causes them to collapse into your airway. In minor cases, changing position while you sleep can clear the airway and stop the noise of snoring. However, for some patients, the obstruction that causes snoring is a chronic problem, and can only be alleviated with the help of professional care and treatment.
What Is Obstructive Sleep Apnea?
When snoring is consistent because of a chronic airway obstruction, there’s a heightened risk of it leading to a more serious condition known as obstructive sleep apnea. Also referred to as OSA, sleep apnea describes a complete obstruction of your airway while you sleep. Patients with sleep snore consistently, but will stop periodically as their airway becomes completely blocked. This causes you to stop breathing and forces you out of deep sleep, or prevents you from entering it at all, and it can happen hundreds of times in a single night.
How Exactly Your Dentist Can Help
With chronic snoring and sleep apnea, the root cause is the obstruction in your airway. At our office, we may be able to help you address it by custom-designing a sleep appliance that you can wear comfortably every night. The appliance will be designed to prevent oral tissues from collapsing into and blocking your airway while you sleep, which stops you from snoring and helps you avoid the cessation of breathing that characterizes sleep apnea. With a clear and open airway, you can finally rest peacefully and quietly throughout the night.
Learn About Snoring/Sleep Apnea Appliances
If you have a problem with snoring every night, or think that you might have obstructive sleep apnea, then find out how your dentist can help. To learn more, schedule a visit by calling Central Park Dentistry in Charles City, IA, today at (641) 228-1115. We also proudly welcome patients from Osage, New Hampton, Greene, and all surrounding communities.
