On sitcoms, snoring is often played for laughs. Usually one character is asleep while another character or group of characters tries to do something without waking up the first character.
Sure it might be funny on television, but if you are the person snoring, you could be showing symptoms of more serious health concerns.
Snoring could be affecting others as well. At some time or another, we’ve all struggled to fall asleep because of the sound of someone else’s snoring.
If you are or someone you love is a persistent snorer, then help is just around the corner. If you live in Central Kentucky, stop by one of the three Beaumont Family Dentistry offices to learn how your dentist can solve your snoring problem.
Don’t ignore your snore
We all know that snoring is annoying, but did you know it could indicate other health risks as well?
While most people snore at some time or another, some people snore consistently — and loudly. If you or someone you know is one of those people, please keep reading.
In an article for everydayhealth.com, Dr. Sanjay Gupta (who you may recognize from CNN) explained that colds, allergies, and certain medicines are among the things that may cause snoring. For people who are “chronic snorers”, however, this is nothing to take lightly.
Snoring is the result of something blocking your breathing while you are asleep. That’s why chronic snorers may sound like they stop breathing at times, which can be scary for people who can hear them.
It’s common for chronic snorers to feel tired after they wake up and throughout the day. While they may not realize it, their snoring is preventing them from getting a good night’s sleep.
This also could be a sign that the snorer has obstructive sleep apnea. This condition affects tens of millions of Americans. While people with sleep apnea sleep, the muscles in the back of their throat relax. This di srupts their breathing and creates the sounds of snoring.
People with sleep apnea are more likely to have high blood pressure, stroke, and diabetes. They frequently show signs of sleep deprivation, which increases their risk of accidents.
Losing weight and smoking can help, but for many with sleep apnea, the dentist can be part of the solution.
Dental solution
Our team at Beaumont Family Dentistry can assess if you may be suffering from sleep apnea.
As we mentioned already, snoring is the result of your relaxed throat muscles blocking your airways as you sleep. Shifting the location of your jaw during sleep can often correct this problem.
If you come to our office, you will start by filling out a questionnaire. (You may want to bring you sleep partner with you, too, to help answer some of the questions.)
If needed, we can help you set up a sleep study at a sleep clinic or arrange for you to do an at-home sleep study. The study will allow the clinic to assess whether you have sleep apnea.
One common solution is a CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) machine, which blows air into your airway to keep it open as you sleep. While CPAPs are effective when used correctly, many users will tell you they can be difficult to get used to and they can be uncomfortable to wear.
We can offer an alternative. Since 2006, oral appliances have been approved for people with mild to moderate obstructive sleep apnea.
Our Dr. Takacs is a member of the American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine, and she took at residency at Tufts University on sleep medicine. She can design a custom-fitted mouthpiece that will help relieve your sleep apnea symptoms.
This mouthpiece is similar to the ones you may see football players wearing during games. The difference is that you will wear your mouthpiece at night instead of in the midst of athletic competition.
Once you (and your partner) start sleeping through the night, you’ll feel more rested when you wake up and more energized throughout the day.
Come talk to us
You may not know that you are showing signs of sleep apnea. You may not be aware of your snoring, and you may not know how serious it is. Talk to your sleep partner, then come talk to us.
While sleep apnea has been connected with other health risks, it is treatable. You (and your loved ones) deserve to sleep easier knowing that your problem is under control.
We have three locations serving patients in the Lexington area. Call Beaumont Family Dentistry at 859-223-2120 to set up your consultation.