Snoring may not seem like a great cause for concern, yet it can impair your health and frustrate those around you. Nevertheless, dentistry services can help prevent snoring by identifying the causes and severity of the problem as well as providing a palliative oral appliance. So, turn to professional dental service providers for relief from snoring.
Smile Reston Heights offers general, cosmetic, and emergency dental services to residents of Reston, VA. We are committed to delivering a customer-oriented experience for all our patients, so we offer flexible scheduling and a variety of dental treatments. You can enjoy optimal dental health by having your teeth regularly cleaned and examined by our team. Contact us today at (703) 345-1100.
Below, we outline how dentistry can help prevent snoring:
Why Snoring Occurs
Snoring takes place when the muscles in the back of the throat relax and constrict or trap air. As the air attempts to move through the narrowed space, the throat muscles vibrate and create the snoring sound.
Several possible causes for snoring exist, some of which are genetic and others caused by lifestyle factors:
- Alcohol consumption
- Sleep aids or sedatives
- Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA)
- Obesity
- Structural nasal defects
Crowded teeth can also interfere with your airway during sleep. In some cases, improving the alignment of teeth with Invisalign clear retainers can improve one’s breathing, reduce snoring, and lead to better sleep.
Snoring Affects You & Others
Snoring can disrupt your sleep as well as the sleep of those around you. Severe cases of snoring may be a sign of sleep apnea, a sleep condition that affects around 2–9% of adults.
Sleep apnea causes the throat muscles to collapse, which alerts the brain to wake up and take in air by contracting the muscles. This process can repeat itself throughout the night, leaving you groggy and unrested the next morning.
It’s important to address sleep apnea, as it can contribute to your risk for conditions such as:
- Heart attacks
- Diabetes
- High blood pressure
- Heart diseases
Let your dentist know if you experience snoring in combination with excessive sleepiness. They may offer a distinct solution for sleep apnea as opposed to just snoring.
Oral Appliances
An oral appliance, or Mandibular Advancement Device, can provide a simple solution for snoring. Made of upper and lower teeth appliances, these devices help hold their wearer’s lower jaw forward. This position opens the back of the throat so that air can pass freely through during sleep. The devices can be inserted before sleeping and removed upon waking.
Smile Reston Heights: Snoring Prevention Dental Services in Reston, VA
Residents of Reston, VA, can turn to Smile Reston Heights for snoring prevention dental services. We strive to provide our patients with smiles they will love! Our options include general dentistry, orthodontics, cosmetic & restorative dentistry, and Invisalign treatment. We also offer affordable financing options with our 0% interest membership plan. Contact us at (703) 345-1100 to schedule an appointment.