Partner can’t sleep because you snore? Is it finally time to eliminate it?

Snoring sounds can result when the tissue in the back of the throat collapses onto the soft palate. This narrows the air passageway. As you breathe, this area opens and closes—with a noisy result.

Your nightly symphony may be a result of sleep apnea. With Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA), the air passageway not only narrows, you actually stop breathing. These pauses can last for up to a minute and occur repeatedly dozens or even hundreds of time per night.

Many men and women with sleep apnea snore, but not all snorers have sleep apnea. Regular snoring does not generally wake you up during the night. (But it probably wakes up your bed partner.)

Is My Snoring a Symptom of Sleep Apnea?

• Do you wake up numerous times during the night gasping?
• Are you excessively tired during the day?
• Do you wake up with a headache?
• Do you nod off during the day because you are sleepy?
• Are your mouth and throat noticeably dry when you wake up?

Snoring is more than a pesky annoyance. It has significant health consequences. And sleep apnea is even more dangerous because it completely cuts off the oxygen flow.

There are three types of sleep apnea:

• Obstructive Sleep Apnea: This is the most prevalent type. It is caused by throat muscles relaxing and blocking the airway.
• Central Sleep Apnea: The cause of the breathing cessation originates in the central nervous system. The brain fails to control the breathing muscles.
• Complex Sleep Apnea Syndrome (Treatment-emergent Central Sleep Apnea): This condition is present when a person has both obstructive sleep apnea and central sleep apnea.

Can My Dentist Help Me Stop Snoring?

Your dentist can help stop your snoring whether or not you have OSA. Your dentist may provide Oral Appliance Therapy (OAT). A custom-made mouthpiece can keep your airway open throughout the night. Talk to your dentist about your snoring.

Contact Dr. Bill Dorfman, DDS – Century City Aesthetic Dentistry:

310-277-5678

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

2080 Century Park E Ste 1601
Los Angeles, California
90067