Can a Dentist Help Reduce or Eliminate Your Snoring?
It’s estimated that between 30% and 50% of the entire U.S. population snores. Now, this on its own isn’t necessarily harmful. Snoring may not be inherently dangerous or bad for your teeth, gums, and mouth. Your partner might get annoyed, but you don’t have to worry about much else.
In many cases, though, snoring can be a sign of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). This is most certainly something to worry about. Sleep apnea is when your tongue and throat muscles stop working and collapse into your airway. You stop breathing.
So, your snoring may be nothing serious or it may be an early warning sign of sleep apnea. You’re in luck, because we can help you here at Smiles NY. Not only are we some of the best NYC cosmetic dentists, but we offer custom made snoring treatments too.
Keep reading to learn how a dentist can help you stop snoring today!
Dental Appliances
It’s important to start off by saying that snoring isn’t always a sign of sleep apnea. Sometimes it is due to an allergic reaction, a sinus infection, weak muscles in the throat or nose, or even a normal side effect of aging. It can also stem from other factors and problems.
If your snoring is a sign of sleep apnea, though, you’re going to want to get a dental appliance. This sounds very complicated, but dental appliances (sometimes called oral appliances) are actually simple. You can think of them as a custom-made mouth guard for snoring.
Dental appliances are made after taking a molding of your mouth. They work by keeping your airway open and safe from your tongue or throat muscles collapsing.
There are numerous benefits to choosing an oral appliance to help you stop snoring. They are non-invasive, easy to use, less expensive than other options, and easy to carry around with you. More importantly, they’re very effective at stopping snoring and helping you get a good night’s sleep.
CPAP Devices
CPAP stands for continuous positive airway pressure. These devices fit over your mouth and connect to a small air compressor. They then blow pressurized air through your throat and airway all night to keep you from snoring and falling into sleep apnea.
CPAP devices are made up of the mask itself, the air compressor (commonly called a CPAP motor), and a tube that connects the two. On some occasions, they can be slightly bulky and uncomfortable to wear while sleeping, but they are very effective. In fact, some studies suggest CPAP devices are more effective than oral appliances.
Regardless of whether you choose a CPAP device or an oral appliance, it’s important to consult your dentist first. They know about your specific situation and medical history. They will be able to direct you to whichever snoring and sleep apnea solution is best for your individual case.
Contact us for a consultation and to learn what we can do to help you stop snoring today. Give us a call to learn more about what makes SmilesNY the premier dental practice in New York City.