One of the most chronic problems people experience during sleep is snoring. However, the effects of snoring can extend beyond the inconveniences of disturbing your family members or partner’s sleep. Snoring could indicate sleep apnea, a chronic sleeping disorder that, if left untreated, can often lead to other severe health issues. It is the sound caused by airway tissues vibrating against each other when they get blocked. Snoring is common among older adults and obese people. If you have a snoring problem, you don’t have to live with it anymore. At Dental Arts of Boston, MA, we offer customized oral appliances to help stop your snoring and sleep better.

What Causes Snoring?

Snoring can be caused due to several factors. Primarily, snoring is induced by the relaxation of the muscles and soft tissues in the throat and mouth, resulting in a constricted air passage. The decrease in space in the airway makes it harder for each breath to get through. When it does get through, it slides over the soft tissues in the throat and mouth and causes a vibration that makes the snoring sound. Other factors of snoring may include:

  • Excess body weight
  • Alcohol consumption
  • Certain sleep aides or sedatives
  • Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA)

Treatments for Snoring Prevention

Our dentists will first rule out any allergies, sinusitis, tonsil disease, or nasal obstruction before starting the snoring treatments. Our preliminary treatment will include advising lifestyle adjustments like losing weight, making dietary modifications, quitting smoking, or drinking less caffeine or alcohol at night. If these changes are not adequate, we may recommend advanced therapies such as oral appliances, snoreplasty, and tongue procedures.

Oral Appliances

Oral appliance therapy involves a customized mouth guard designed to decrease snoring by pushing your jaw forward and holding your tongue securely in position while you sleep. The mouth guard helps prevent airway blockages. Oral appliances are simple and comfortable to wear. In addition, they are portable and do not require special maintenance. Many people have observed a significant reduction in snoring due to wearing oral appliances during sleep.

Snoreplasty

A snoreplasty includes administering an injection to reduce the frequency of snoring. This in-office process is performed under local anesthesia and helps reinforce the soft palate and uvula. This will prevent the soft tissues’ vibration that produces the snoring sound.

Tongue Procedures

The tongue’s position can be a significant reason for people snoring at night. When the tongue falls back and starts to block the airway, this generates the snoring sound. Undergoing tongue suspension therapy will help stabilize the tongue’s base to keep it in an ideal position.

To learn more about snoring prevention treatments, visit our Dental Arts of Boston office at 26 Marlborough St Dental Suite, Boston MA, 02116. You can also reach us at (617) 266-0441 and schedule an appointment.