When Snoring is a problem….Snoring Solutions at the Beacon Dental Sleep Medicine Clinic

Why do I snore?

Snoring occurs because of upper airway obstruction. The soft tissues in the upper airway vibrate when you breathe in and out. Snoring becomes louder when there is more obstruction. This can become a medical problem if you are not taking in enough oxygen due to the obstruction, or if you are not expelling enough carbon dioxide.

What is sleep apnea?

Sleep apnea is when there is absence of breathing. Symptoms that might indicate sleep apnea include snoring that is so loud it bothers others and daytime sedation (especially after a full night of sleep). The daytime sedation can lead to falling asleep easily such as in class or driving.

Snoring reduction aids

If your doctor has already ruled out sleep apnea, then consider talking to him or her about other snoring reduction aids. Examples of a snoring aid are a Breathe-Right strip, to help clear your nasal passages, or medications to reduce nasal congestion.

Tips that may help with snoring

• Avoid drinking alcohol right before going to sleep. If you do choose to drink, quit at least two hours before you plan on going to sleep. Alcohol can relax the throat muscles, and that flaccid tissue facilitates snoring.
• Avoid eating right before you sleep. Eating right before sleeping has similar effects to alcohol.
• If you smoke, quit. Smoking causes nasal and lung congestion. It can also limit the amount of oxygen entering your system.
• Consider losing weight, if necessary. Weight loss has been shown to reduce snoring.
• Try a different sleeping position. Some people use pillows to keep them on their sides rather than back-sleeping. There are also specially shaped pillows you can purchase.

Consider talking to a physician about your snoring. If you have tried different techniques and still experience problems, there may be other issues to be addressed.

Signs of Sleep Apnea

Sleep apnea is a potentially serious sleep disorder in which breathing repeatedly stops and starts. If you snore loudly and feel tired even after a full night’s sleep, you might have sleep apnea.

The most common symptoms of obstructive and central sleep apneas include:

• Loud snoring.
• Episodes in which you stop breathing during sleep — which would be reported by another person.
• Gasping for air during sleep.
• Awakening with a dry mouth.
• Morning headache.
• Difficulty staying asleep, known as insomnia.
• Excessive daytime sleepiness, known as hypersomnia.
• Difficulty paying attention while awake.
• Irritability.

When to see a doctor

Loud snoring can indicate a potentially serious problem, but not everyone who has sleep apnea snores. Talk to your health care provider if you have symptoms of sleep apnea. Ask your provider about any sleep problem that leaves you fatigued, sleepy and irritable.

Devices Used to Control Snoring & Sleep Apnea

Two main devices are available for the control of snoring and obstructive sleep apnoea. These devices must be worn every night to control your sleep problem.

CPAP (Continuous Positive Air Pressure) is a device that controls apnoea by providing a stream of air, under slight pressure, through a tube into your nasal passage. This positive air pressure acts as a splint holding the tissues in the back of your throat open to prevent collapse. Use of this device requires a sleep study to determine the proper pressure to use.

Oral Appliances – Oral appliances are devices very much like sports mouth guards or removable orthodontic appliances that hold the airway open by either holding the tongue or jaw in a forward position. Oral appliances are non-invasive and easy to use and as such they may be considered an early treatment option and may be the most appropriate treatment for your condition.

Oral Appliance Therapy for obstructive snoring & sleep apnea 

Oral Appliance therapy involves the selection, design, fitting and use of a specially designed oral appliance that, when worn during sleep, maintains an opened, unobstructed airway in the throat. Oral appliances that treat snoring and obstructive sleep apnoea are customised devices made from impressions of the teeth. They are worn in the mouth while sleeping, dilating or enlarging the airway. When successful they have several advantages over other forms of therapy.