Have you been told that you snore? If your spouse or partner is ready to kick you to the couch because you’re keeping them up all night, you’re not alone. Nearly 90 million Americans snore each night. But, you don’t have to relocate because of snoring. You can treat it and end it for good.
Why Do People Snore?
Snoring can be caused by a few things, including sinus congestion caused by allergies, the common cold or other illness. But, in some cases, snoring happens because the tissues in the back of the throat become relaxed and collapse, partially blocking the airway. When this happens, a snoring sound occurs.
Is Snoring Serious?
Occasional snoring is no big deal, but day-in-day-out (or should we say night-in-night-out) snoring can be a sign of a potentially dangerous condition known as obstructive sleep apnea.
This condition is dangerous because it causes repeated interruptions in breathing, which means sufferers experience fatigue even after a full night of sleep. These interruptions in breathing can put a significant amount of stress on the body, too. This stress can affect everything from cognition to cardiac health.
Ways to Treat Sleep Apnea
There are a few different ways of treating sleep apnea, but the most commonly known is continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy. CPAP therapy works by blowing open the airway during sleep through a mask. Unfortunately for many individuals, CPAP machines are loud, can cause claustrophobia and are downright uncomfortable.
There is an alternative to the CPAP, however. It’s called oral appliance therapy.
What Is Oral Appliance Therapy?
Oral appliance therapy is a treatment for sleep apnea that uses a custom-fit oral appliance worn while sleeping. The device works by putting the lower jaw in the correct position to help prevent airway blockage and breathing interruptions during sleep.
Benefits of oral appliance therapy include:
- Comfort
- Quiet
- Portable
- Easy to clean and to care for
If you’re living with frequent snoring or know someone who is, it may be worth a conversation about sleep apnea. It’s essential to get treatment for sleep apnea because the condition is dangerous and has been linked to high blood pressure and an increased risk of heart attack, stroke and diabetes.
Get help now to improve your – and your partner’s – sleep and protect your overall health. We’d love to talk to you today. Call Legends Dental now at 254-799-9540.