Snoring is the kind of problem that can often seem more annoying than serious. As such, people who snore often may not take addressing the problem very seriously. However, chronic snoring can be more problematic for your overall wellbeing than you may realize. In some cases, the snoring may not even be the problem itself, but rather a symptom of a much more serious underlying sleep disorder. Today, we examine why your snoring may be a problem, and how we may be able to help you sleep more restfully by helping you stop snoring.

What makes you snore each night?

Because many people don’t consider their snoring a problem, they don’t often consider what’s causing them to snore in the first place. While the specific underlying cause of snoring may be different for everyone, many people can attribute their snoring habit to a partial obstruction in their airway. This is often caused by mouth or throat tissues collapsing into the airway slightly as you sleep, making your breathing more labored and causing the tissues in your throat to vibrate loudly.

Is snoring the issue, or a symptom?

When you snore a lot, the snoring itself may be the most serious manifestation of the problem. The noise indicates the trouble you have breathing while you sleep, which results in your brain and body receiving less oxygen every night. However, for many people who snore constantly, snoring is only a symptom, rather than the problem itself. If you suffer from obstructive sleep apnea, or OSA, then the obstruction in your airway will continue to grow until you can no longer breathe at all. The airway obstruction and cessation of your breathing can last for several moments before your body is forced out of its slumber to clear the obstruction.

Could an oral appliance help you stop?

The good news is that a snoring problem isn’t typically difficult to treat, even if it does indicate the presence of sleep apnea. For many people who snore or have sleep apnea, relief can be found with help from a custom-designed sleep appliance. The appliance is designed specifically to fit your oral structures and support your lower jaw in a comfortable, slightly forward position to prevent tissues from clogging your airway. If you snore every night, or nearly every night, then talk to your dentist to find out if you can benefit from wearing a custom-designed sleep appliance.

Find out how to treat your snoring problem

If you snore often, then it could be more of a problem than you realize, especially if it’s merely a symptom of a more serious disorder, such as sleep apnea. To learn more, schedule a consultation by calling the Dental Centre of Conroe in Conroe, TX, today at (936) 441-4600. We serve patients from Conroe and all neighboring communities.