Snoring Treatment in Fairmount: How a Dentist Can Help You Sleep Quietly Again

Snoring is often treated as a joke, but it keeps millions of people (and their partners) from a good night of sleep. The good news is that snoring is frequently very treatable, and a dentist trained in dental sleep medicine can help with a comfortable custom appliance. In some cases snoring can also point to a more serious condition called obstructive sleep apnea, which calls for a more involved approach.

What causes snoring?

Snoring happens when the muscles in your throat and tongue relax during sleep and partially block your airway. As air squeezes past the soft tissue, it vibrates and creates the familiar sound. Occasional light snoring is usually harmless, but loud, frequent snoring can disrupt sleep for the whole household.

How a dentist treats snoring

For many patients, snoring is a straightforward problem to solve. A custom oral appliance, similar in feel to a retainer or athletic mouthguard, gently positions your lower jaw slightly forward while you sleep. This keeps the airway open so the tissue cannot collapse and vibrate. The appliance is quiet, comfortable, and easy to travel with, and most patients adjust to it quickly.

When snoring may mean sleep apnea

Sometimes snoring is a warning sign ofobstructive sleep apnea (OSA), a condition where the airway repeatedlycollapses and briefly cuts off breathing during sleep. Untreated OSA is linkedto high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, and daytimedrowsiness.

Common signs of sleep apnea include:

• Loud, chronic snoring
• Gasping or choking during sleep
• Waking up feeling unrefreshed
• Morning headaches
• Daytime fatigue and difficulty concentrating
• High blood pressure

Why treating sleep apnea is a bigger process

Snoring alone can often be treated quickly. Sleep apnea is more involved. It cannot be diagnosed in a dental office and requires a physician along with a sleep study to confirm the diagnosis. If we treat it with an oral appliance, a follow up sleep study is usually needed afterward to confirm the appliance is working effectively. This teamwork between your dentist and your sleep physician is essential for safe, proven results.

Oral appliance vs. CPAP

CPAP is the gold standard for more severe sleep apnea and works very well for patients who can tolerate the mask. Many people, however, find it difficult to sleep with CPAP. For the right candidates, a custom oral appliance offers a comfortable and quieter alternative that is much easier to travel with.

Frequently asked questions

Can a dentist stop my snoring? Yes. For many patients, a custom oral appliance significantly reduces or eliminates snoring and restores restful sleep for the whole household.

Are store bought snoring mouthguards effective? Over the counter devices tend to be bulky and fit poorly. A custom appliance made by your dentist is more comfortable, more effective, and safer for your teeth and jaw.

How do I know if my snoring is sleep apnea? If you gasp at night, wake up unrefreshed, or feel exhausted during the day, talk with your physician about a sleep study. Your dentist and sleep doctor can work together on the right treatment.

Sleep quietly again in Grant County

Dr. David Shock has advanced training in dental sleep medicine and helps patients across Marion, Fairmount, Gas City, and the surrounding communities sleep and breathe better. If you or a loved one snores, contact Fairmount Family Dentistry to find out whether a custom appliance is right for you.

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