It’s a habit that usually bothers the person sleeping next to the snorer. However, did you know that snoring can also pose a danger to your health?
How does snoring occur?
Snoring happens when airflow on its way to the lungs encounters an obstruction in the throat. Relaxed muscles of the palate and pharynx cause that obstruction. These muscles vibrate as air passes through, producing the characteristic sound. A person who snores wakes up multiple times during the night, resulting in morning fatigue and poor concentration. If you wake up with a dry throat and feel thirsty during the night, it may also be a sign that you snore.
How to prevent snoring?
1. Change your sleeping position
Snoring most commonly occurs in people who sleep on their backs. This position causes the lower jaw and tongue to fall backward. The muscles in the throat relax, causing vibration. Try sleeping on your side and elevating your headrest.
2. Diet
Excess weight around the neck area can lead to a narrower airway and promote snoring.
3. Alcohol, tobacco, and caffeine
Avoid these substances before bed. They cause muscle relaxation, which increases the chance of snoring during sleep.
4. Consistent sleep schedule
Go to bed at the same time every night to help your body stick to a regular sleep routine.
5. Clear nasal passages
If your nose is blocked, you’re more likely to breathe through your mouth while sleeping, which increases the risk of snoring. If you have chronic nasal breathing issues, consult an ENT specialist.
6. Replace your pillow
If you’ve been sleeping on the same pillow for a long time, it may contain allergens that affect airflow through your airways.
7. Stay hydrated
Drink enough water during the day to prevent your mouth and throat mucosa from drying out at night.
What if snoring doesn’t stop?
Snoring can be a sign of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). This condition involves a complete stop in breathing during sleep for more than 10 seconds, happening repeatedly throughout the night. People with OSA often wake up gasping for air after these episodes. According to the American Sleep Apnea Association, one-third of people who snore also suffer from OSA.
Health risks linked to snoring and OSA
1. Heart disease
Breathing problems during sleep can raise blood pressure, increasing the risk of heart attacks.
2. Arrhythmia
Irregular, fast, or slow heartbeat may be a result of sleep apnea.
3. Reduced oxygen levels in the blood
Breathing interruptions decrease oxygen saturation, which affects the entire body.
4. Fatigue
Frequent awakenings due to apnea disrupt deep sleep, causing daytime exhaustion and reduced focus.
5. Headaches
Chronic headaches can occur due to an improper balance of oxygen and carbon dioxide in the blood.
What is the dentist’s role in treating sleep problems?
With advancements in modern dentistry, snoring and OSA can be treated in dental offices using the Silensor appliance. This anti-snoring device holds the jaw in a slightly forward position during sleep, tightening the muscles of the palate and pharynx. As a result, the airway opens, allowing air to flow freely. The device is custom-made based on impressions of the patient’s upper and lower teeth and is designed individually by a licensed dentist. Silensor has shown improvement or complete cessation of snoring in over 80% of patients.
To get the appliance, the dentist performs an examination and takes impressions of the upper and lower jaws. Suitable candidates include patients with their own teeth or fixed prosthetics (crowns, bridges, implants). Those wearing removable dentures are not eligible for this type of device.
