Have you struggled with snoring at night while your partner is trying to sleep? Have you woken up in the morning, feeling unrested and with a clogged nose? The loud, whistling sounds of snoring can be nothing but a result of temporary allergies or symptoms of a cold, but if prolonged, they may be the result of something more serious, like sleep apnea.
Snoring and sleep apnea are directly related to your throat muscles, tongue, and air passageways, all of which a dentist can help you with. Dr. Haig Rickerby at Journal Square Dental has helped his local community with all of their oral health-related issues, including snoring and sleep apnea, for over 25 years, and would love to do the same for you today.
What Causes Snoring or Sleep Apnea?
Snoring can be the result of anything as small as seasonal allergies, a wintertime cold, or a deviated septum, but it could also be a symptom of a dangerous health condition called obstructive sleep apnea. Sleep apnea causes your throat muscles and tongue to collapse onto the back of your throat which results in a blocked airway. This can make you stop breathing repeatedly throughout the night, which is what causes the loud, whistling snores.
If left untreated or undiagnosed, sleep apnea may result in excessive fatigue and all accompanying side effects, such as headaches, memory loss, and impaired motor function. Untreated sleep apnea also raises your risk for serious health problems, including:
- High blood pressure
- Heart disease
- Diabetes
- Risk of stroke
- Chronic acid reflux
If diagnosed, your dentist can help you directly target the cause of your sleep apnea or snoring with a unique course of personalized treatment.
How a Qualified Dentist Can Help
Whether you are looking to actively treat sleep apnea or just relieve pesky nightly snoring, Journal Square Dental can help you target your symptoms and provide some relief through the designing of a personalized oral appliance. We will begin the process with a thorough examination of your mouth and a consultation discussing your sleeping patterns and specific concerns.
From there, if appropriate, we will fit you for an oral appliance. An oral appliance is similar in look and feel to a retainer you are given to wear after braces or a sports mouthguard to keep your teeth safe while being active. It will be worn in your mouth at night only and help to keep your jaw stabilized in a forward position. This keeps your airway open while you are sleeping, preventing the passageway from collapsing and blocking normal airflow during breathing.
Your dentist can also help diagnose any other potentially serious causes of snoring, such as a deviated septum, chronic nasal congestion, enlarged tonsils or soft palate, or nasal polyps. These conditions are not typically as serious as sleep apnea and can be addressed and treated accordingly.
Consult a Knowledgeable Dental Professional Now
The experience of getting a full night’s sleep for the first time in many years can be a real life-changer. Having clear, open passageways to breathe undisturbed at night can help you and your partner sleep better and severely decrease your risk of sleep apnea-related risks. Journal Square Dental is proud to help with any and all oral health-related problems, from restorative dentistry, oral appliance fittings, to cosmetic dental work.
We believe in a client-first approach to the world of dentistry, which means you have a compassionate and knowledgeable dental professional by your side every step of the process, starting at the first examination. To schedule an appointment to discuss your snoring concerns today, please call our office at (201) 431-0288 or use our online contact form.
