Can Your Dentist Cure Your Snoring?

Anyone who has ever snored – or shared a bed, room or house with someone who does – knows what a detrimental and persistent problem it can be. Snoring is more than mere annoyance to those who have to listen to disruptive and repetitive sound of the sufferer “sawing logs” all night; it can actually have serious health repercussions, ranging from decreased sleep quality to the potentially fatal problem of sleep apnea. But what, exactly, causes snoring, and how can it be treated? If you've never considered that the solution to your sleep woes might lie with your dentist, then you're in for a surprise!

Of course, before you can treat the symptoms, you need to understand the disease. Snoring is a phenomenon that occurs when the sufferer's airways are partially obstructed during sleep. What obstructs the airways? The answer lies in the throat – or, more specifically, the soft tissues of the throat, including the uvula, the back of the tongue and the soft palate. When air passes over these tissues, it creates the whistling noise known as snoring. If you've already tried common methods of preventing snoring, such as shifting your sleep position or using special nose strips that can be purchased over the counter from virtually any drugstore, you may doubt whether an effective treatment for this syndrome even exists. Fortunately for many, there is a cure for snoring. Just ask a dental professional with experience in sleep dentistry.

It's true: Your dentist could actually help cure your snoring! This can be accomplished through the use of a special dental appliance or mouthpiece that you will need to commit to wearing to bed every night. These devices are usually made of plastic, and they function by preventing those soft tissues previously mentioned from collapsing into the throat and blocking the passage of breath by bringing the jaw forward, lifting the soft palate, keeping the tongue away from the windpipe or some combination of the three. If you decide to invest in one of these mouthpieces, you can expect your dentist to take a mold of your mouth in order to create a device with a unique custom fit in order to maximize comfort and utility. Side effects are mild, and may include tooth discomfort and an increase in salivation, but these devices are generally accepted as safe and relatively unobtrusive.

While there are less expensive devices available online that claim to function in much the same way as one of these custom-made mouthpieces, keep in mind that they won't be as comfortable – or as effective – as something made especially for you by a knowledgeable dental professional. When choosing a dentist to help you deal with your snoring problem, the American Academy of Sleep Medicine has recommended that patients look for dentists with experience in treating overall oral health, including temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disease. That's why Dr. Eddie Siman of Millennium Dental is such an excellent choice for patients who want to cure their snoring once and for all! Dr. Siman's background in treating TMJ disorders and realigning patients' jawbones for improved dental health gives him the insight necessary to treat snoring of varying degrees of severity. If you're ready to rediscover just how refreshing a good night's sleep can be and conquer your snoring for good, contact Millennium Dental for an appointment today.