Don’t Let Snoring Steal Your Sleep: Your Dentist Is Here to Help

Do you or your partner get annoyed by the other’s snoring? While it is frustrating, it’s important not to ignore it. This is a common sign of sleep apnea, which can impact the quality of your sleep. Not only will you be more tired throughout the day, but you may doze off when doing things you need to be wide awake for, like driving. Thankfully, a snoring treatment in Jacksonville can help you get the restful nights you deserve. Here’s how.

What is Sleep Apnea?

The most common form of this disorder is called obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). This happens when the muscles in your throat relax and block the airway. You may stop breathing for several seconds, but your body gets its fight-or-flight response triggered and wakes you up. It can happen multiple times a night, with minor cases being five times an hour and severe ones being 30 episodes an hour.

Without treating OSA, you risk developing cardiovascular problems because of the sudden drops in blood oxygen levels. You may also be more prone to accidents as you may struggle staying awake during the day. Thankfully, your dentist is here to help and can refer you to sleep physicians to confirm a diagnosis.

That being said, if you snore, then it doesn’t necessarily mean you have OSA. There is a wide range of factors that could explain the reason it’s happening, such as your:

• Age
• Weight
• Sinus congestion
• Lifestyle habits

How Is Sleep Apnea and Snoring Treated?

After your sleep test and the results say you have OSA, then you may wonder what treatments are available to you. Here are two popular options that are effective for this condition and snoring:

• CPAP Machine: This is a mask that helps keep your airway open during the night through pressurized air. It’s very effective at managing severe sleep apnea, but many people tend to go another route. The machine may be uncomfortable, noisy, and hard to travel with.
• An Oral Appliance: Your dentist can help you by giving you a custom mouthpiece. This is helpful for those with mild or moderate OSA as it helps keep their airways open. When you wear it, it slightly brings your jaw forward, which gently stretches the muscles in your throat that were causing some trouble. It helps relieve snoring and allows for a healthy inflow of oxygen. 

Although you or your loved one might be annoyed by the other’s noisy sleep, it’s important not to ignore it. You can get back to a restful night by finding the right treatment for it or your OSA and wake up feeling rejuvenated.

About the Practice

At North Jacksonville Complete Dentistry, you benefit from a team of skilled dentists who look after you and your oral health. We understand how snoring can be frustrating to deal with. By offering a custom oral appliance, you can benefit from a simple treatment for noisy sleep and get back to a good night’s rest! If you or your loved one snores throughout the night, schedule an appointment or call us at (904) 751-4958.