Snoring and Sleep Apnea

Snoring

Snoring occurs when your airway is obstructed during sleep. Typically, this happens due to the soft tissues colliding in the back of your throat. That collision creates a vibration, snoring. Adults that snore periodically are not alone, estimating that chronic snoring affects 24 percent of women, 40 percent of men, and 10 percent of children. Children might snore due to missing teeth, altering the shape of tissues within their mouth, a contributing factor to blocked airways. Causes of snoring are plentiful, including:

• Born with a narrow airway
• Low, thick, soft palate, elongated uvula, or large tonsils
• Sleeping position
• Overweight or obese
• Chronic nasal congestion
• Alcohol and tobacco use
• Pregnancy
• Family history

Tiredness or fatigue throughout the day are common consequences of snoring and, when it is quite severe, you might not be receiving sufficient oxygen at night. Feelings of illness or fatigue should be relayed to our office immediately. As you snore, you are breathing with your mouth open, which creates dryness that can generate bad breath, bacteria buildup, tooth decay, infections, and sores.

Anti-Snoring Treatment

Snoring can sometimes signal more serious conditions, such as sleep apnea, which involves interrupted breathing during sleep. Children with sleep apnea often snore as well. To reduce snoring, several devices can help. These include mandibular advancement devices (MAD), tongue stabilizing devices, and snoring chin straps.

• Mandibular Advancement Device (MAD): These devices resemble retainers and bring the jaw forward to keep the airway open.
• Tongue Stabilizing Device: This device moves the tongue forward to create more space in the throat and reduce vibrations.
• Snoring Chin Strap: This device helps prevent the mouth from opening but is less commonly used due to discomfort and limited effectiveness.



It's important to note that some devices can only be used once your child’s jaw development is complete, typically around age 16. If you suspect your child suffers from snoring or sleep apnea, contact our office for guidance.

Sleep Apnea

Obstructive sleep apnea happens when the upper airway becomes blocked while asleep. As a result, the diaphragm and chest muscles have to work harder to open the airway to pull air into the lungs. Each breath can become extremely shallow, or briefly stop altogether before starting again with a loud gasp, snort, or body jerk. This condition can also lower the flow of oxygen to organs and create uneven heart rhythms. Since there are many other medical conditions that can cause these symptoms, we advise you to speak with us about it at your next dental appointment. Warning signs of obstructive sleep apnea include:

Sleep Apnea Treatment

Sleep apnea treatment is dependent on the severity of the condition. If you suffer from mild to moderate obstructive sleep apnea, our orthodontist, may recommend an oral sleep appliance (OSA).

Oral sleep appliances are devices worn in the mouth while you sleep, similar to orthodontic retainers or mouth guards. They are comfortable, easy to wear, and can be effective immediately. The dental appliance is designed to advance the lower jaw and keep air flowing. This repositioning of the jaw helps prevent collapse and blockage of the airway. Fitting and making a custom appliance takes approximately 2-3 weeks.

Do insurance companies cover oral appliance therapy?

Yes. Most medical insurance companies cover oral appliance therapy for treatment of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). However, insurance companies generally do not cover treatment for snoring only.

Other treatment options

The most common treatment is continuous positive air pressure (CPAP). Cpap keeps the airway open by providing a steady stream of air through a tube connected to a mask that you wear as you sleep. Another option is surgery performed by an American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine member trained as an oral and maxillofacial surgeon. A surgeon can prevent airway collapses by eliminating tissue in the soft palate, uvula, and tongue. More complex surgical procedures can reposition the anatomic structure of your mouth and facial bones.