Snoring is a common condition that many of our patients–and their partners–suffer through. There are multiple causes for snoring, but the result is often poor sleep for all parties affected. This is why seeking a solution to this nightly habit should be done quickly, before the condition can worsen over time and continue to cause deterioration to sleep. Poor sleep can quickly lead to other related health issues over time.
Exploring your options when it comes to reducing your nighttime snoring is important, both for your sleep health and that of anyone else affected by your nightly symphony!
Snoring can develop at any time, however, it does tend to become aggravated if you are overweight, smoke, sleep on your back or are a heavy drinker.
When you snore areas of your mouth like your tongue, throat or airways vibrate as you breathe through the night. It can also be a result of the condition sleep apnoea; which causes your airways to become blocked as you sleep. Either way, this results in the noise that we often associate with snoring. Though the nature or level of this noise can vary from person to person.
Managing your snoring or sleep apnoea can be difficult without medical intervention. But, depending on the severity of your case, surgery may not be the immediate answer. As managing your snoring in several non-surgical ways is possible, such as with the dental anti-snoring device. Of course, there are pros and cons to this.
When it comes to trying to reduce or prevent snoring without surgery, an anti-snoring device can be the best option. The oral appliance works to reduce the level of vibrations between the different areas of your mouth. For patients who suffer from sleep apnoea, it can keep the tongue in place and prevents your airway from collapsing which can cause snoring to take place, allowing for easier breathing as the patient sleeps.
This device can be fitted by a dentist who has been specially trained in this area, and is highly recommended for those patients with mild or medium cases of snoring. Gavin Laidlaw BDS Principal Dentist is a qualified Sleepwell anti-snoring device practitioner and offers initial consultations without obligation to discuss your sleeping concerns.
For those who suffer more severe cases, surgery may be the most suitable option to help manage or reduce snoring. There are a few areas that can be targeted during surgery to help reduce the level of snoring, especially if it is caused by sleep apnoea. Some surgery to help manage this can be minimally invasive, affecting areas such as:
Removing additional tissue which blocks the airway.
Of course, as with any surgery, there is a chance that the results will not be as significant as you would like. Your snoring may still persist, though to a lesser degree, or there may be no effect at all. The results of the surgery can also fade over time as you heal. Sleep apnoea, in particular, can recur at a later day.
Surgery and anti-snoring devices are not the only options when it comes to snoring, though they are often the most direct. But, there are other methods that you can employ to try and manage your snoring more immediately:
Other than that, you may be able to ask your partner to wear earplugs to lessen their nighttime aggravation. Ultimately, the severity of your snoring will dictate the best option to help resolve your issue.
To discuss the possibility of an anti-snoring device and how it can help you, then get in touch with the team here at Dental Solutions today. Either book your consultation or call our friendly reception on 01925 756565.
