Breathe Easier and Enjoy a Restful Night
Snoring
Snoring is caused when air can’t move through your airway while you sleep. This restricts your breathing and affects the quality of your sleep. Snoring can be caused by several factors, including sleeping position, obstructed airway, being overweight, age, and stress.
Sleep Apnea
Sleep apnea is a sleep disorder caused when the muscles in your throat relax while you’re asleep. When the muscles relax, it causes the airway to narrow and makes it difficult to draw a breath, which causes you to wake up briefly before falling back to sleep. This wake/sleep cycling can happen 5 to 30 times an hour, and many sufferers have no memory of waking up. Sleep apnea can cause severe disruption of your sleep, leaving you exhausted during the day. Untreated apnea can have a major impact on your health.
Diagnosis and Treatment
Diagnosis begins with determining the cause of the snoring. We’ll examine your mouth and airway, discuss your sleep habits, and discuss your overall health. Treatments can include sleep counselling and orthodontic or orthopedic treatments to reposition the jaws while you sleep.
Sleep apnea is diagnosed by monitoring your breathing while you sleep. Treatment is usually with a CPAP device that keeps your airway open while you are sleeping. We may also recommend making healthy lifestyle changes like losing weight, stress reduction, and smoking cessation to make your symptoms less severe.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does oral appliance therapy help with snoring?
Oral appliance therapy involves an orthodontic appliance that you wear in your mouth while you sleep. The appliance repositions your jaws to keep your airway open and prevent snoring.
Do I need a doctor’s referral to see a dentist for snoring or apnea treatment?
In most cases, yes. Your doctor needs to diagnose your condition and determine the medical causes before referring you to a dentist for treatment. Your doctor and dentist will work together to find the best treatment for you.
Can snoring or sleep apnea negatively affect my health?
Yes. Sleep apnea and snoring can cause high blood pressure, stroke, depression, or heart disease if they aren't treated. You should see your family physician if you suspect you or a family member are snoring or suffering from sleep apnea.