Beachwood Sleep Center is a dental sleep clinic focused on sleep dentistry. Snoring and sleep apnea can be dangerous to your health, and even mild sleep apnea disrupts your sleep and can significantly impair your blood oxygen levels! Luckily, Beachwood Sleep Center has a variety of snoring and sleep apnea solutions for you.
What Causes Snoring?
Most people snore occasionally, but sometimes snoring becomes a chronic condition or an indicator of other significant health problems. Many factors can cause snoring, and not all are causes to worry. Things that affect snoring include
- Allergies. Congestion caused by allergic reactions makes you more likely to snore.
- Colds. Like allergies, colds clog up your nose and sinuses, increasing snoring.
- Weight. People who weigh more are more likely to snore.
- Smoking. Since smoking irritates the soft tissues in your mouth, it can cause snoring.
- Alcohol. Alcohol can increase snoring because it relaxes your soft tissues.
- Sleeping position. People who sleep on their backs are more likely to snore.
- Anatomy. Depending on the anatomy of your mouth and sinuses, you might snore more.
- A Closed Off Airway. This is a serious issue and for this reason it is always a good idea to get a FREE virtual consultation.
Should I Be Worried About Sleep Apnea?
Sleep apnea is a severe disorder in which you repeatedly stop breathing during the night. It can be dangerous and it keeps you from sleeping well, so it’s essential to see an expert if you have been told or suspect you have sleep apnea.
Signs and symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea can include
- Loud snoring.
- Restless sleep.
- Chest pain at night.
- Morning headaches.
- Trouble breathing at night.
- Sore throat in the morning.
- Excessive daytime fatigue.
- Weight Gain
- Gasping or choking at night.
Health Concerns Related to Sleep Apnea and Obstructive Sleep Apnea
Sleep apnea and Obstructive Sleep Apnea is a disorder that causes you to stop and start breathing at night. You wake up every time you stop breathing, though you often don’t wake up enough to remember it in the morning. That means that sleep apnea is dangerous since it can potentially cut off your oxygen for too long.
Insufficient sleep and lack of oxygen create many health risks that make it essential to seek treatment for sleep apnea. Some health concerns related to sleep apnea are
- Stroke.
- Obesity.
- Diabetes.
- Depression.
- Heart failure.
- Heart attacks.
- Heart disease.
- Hypertension (high blood pressure).
There are three main types of sleep apnea, each of which come with similar health concerns. The three main types include
- Obstructive sleep apnea. The most common form of sleep apnea, obstructive sleep apnea, occurs when the muscles in the throat relax too much, blocking airflow.
- Central sleep apnea. This kind of sleep apnea happens when your brain doesn’t send the right signals to the muscles that control breathing.
- Complex sleep apnea. Complex sleep apnea is a combination of obstructive sleep apnea and central sleep apnea.
Why Visit a Dentist for Snoring or Sleep Apnea Treatment?
There are a variety of treatments for sleep apnea, and many are available through your local dentist. CPAP, BiPAP, or VPAP machines are well-known sleep apnea solutions, but they can be uncomfortable. Dentists offer a variety of other sleep apnea treatment options, such as
- Oral appliances like mouth guards.
- Invisalign® clear braces to correct tooth misalignments that affect the airway.
Nasal Breathing Exercises and Decongestants for Snoring and Sleep Apnea
If you’re not sure you need to visit a dentist for your snoring or sleep apnea, here are a few tips to stop snoring.
Breathing Exercises for Snoring
Practicing breathing through your nose can make a big difference in snoring. It strengthens your mouth and throat, which can also help with mild sleep apnea. To practice,
- Inhale through your nose with your mouth closed.
- Close off one nostril with a finger.
- Breathe out through the open nostril.
- Repeat about ten times, alternating nostrils.
Facial Exercises for Snoring
Tongue and face exercises, including singing and chewing gum, can also help. Though some facial exercises may feel silly, they have tangible benefits to strengthening your muscles to help tighten the tissues that cause snoring. There are many you can look up on YouTube.
Decongestants
Snoring is often caused by allergies or colds, which give you a stuffy nose and make you breathe with your mouth open. You can use a saline or decongestant nasal spray (though you generally shouldn’t use decongestants regularly) or a neti pot to clear a blocked nose. An air purifier can also help stop snoring caused by allergies.
Invisalign Treatment for Snoring and Sleep Apnea
Sometimes snoring and crowded teeth or a narrow bite can cause sleep apnea. If this is the case, Invisalign orthodontics is a helpful treatment for snoring or sleep apnea. Correcting your bite or creating more space for your teeth gives your tongue more room, preventing it from falling back and covering your airway.
Oral Sleep Apnea Appliance,
A variety of oral appliances can help treat obstructive sleep apnea.
One appliance is a sleep apnea mouthguard. Which gently positions your lower jaw forward and prevents the collapse of the soft tissues at the back of your throat.
A second option is a device that stabilizes the tongue, which keeps your tongue from falling backward and blocking your airway.
Call Us Today To Find Out More About Snoring and Sleep Apnea
Beachwood Sleep Center offers FREE virtual consultations for snoring and sleep apnea. Get started with your treatment today.