If you suffer from snoring, it may be time to visit your local dentist in Etobicoke. Whether it is a regular sleep disruptor or it happens occasionally, it is important to seek support to properly diagnose the condition and prevent complications caused by snoring.
What Is Snoring?
Snoring is caused by vibrations in the airway due to the throat’s soft tissues. As we sleep, these tissues relax and lose muscle tone causing a rattling or harsh breathing sound to be emitted.
Snoring is common but is not considered a normal condition if it is a consistent issue. It is a sign of airway restriction, which can lead to a variety of oral and medical problems. As the mouth tends to open when snoring, dry mouth can occur. This reduces the production of saliva. From this, tooth decay, bad breath, infections, gum disease and mouth sores can occur.
What Are the Main Causes of Snoring?
Snoring can be caused by environmental and internal factors. It can be caused in cases where the soft palate is thick or in a low position preventing normal airflow, resulting in vibration in the back of the throat. This is often common with people who suffer from obesity.
Nasal problems caused by common colds can also cause snoring episodes. Some people snore when their breathing is obstructed by laying on their back as this position narrows the airway, especially because the tongue then falls back which can block the airway.
How Snoring Affects Your Oral Health
Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) Disorder
Snoring causes dental problems when the jaw moves as the joints and muscles react to teeth clenching. TMJ disorder cause the tongue and jaw to move, causing snoring to develop. The link between the two can be seen with jaw stiffness, pain and difficulty with movement of the jaw.
Tooth Grinding and Wear
Tooth grinding, known as bruxism, is diagnosed when a person clenches or grinds their teeth, usually during sleep. As snoring narrows the airway, causing a person to enter a lighter sleep, bruxism can occur. This can cause the wearing down of tooth enamel, damage and even sensitivity of the teeth.
Periodontal (Gum) Disease
Can snoring cause mouth sores? Yes, to a point as the narrowing of the airway can cause dry mouth which leads to gum inflammation and increased bacterial growth. Less salvia production can produce mouth sores and infections. Periodontal disease is the infection of the tissues that hold the teeth (gums).
Sleep-Related Breathing Disorders
Common sleep-related disorders such as obstructive sleep apnea are often first diagnosed with signs of snoring. This disorder reduces the intake of oxygen, causing a person to cease breathing for small periods of time. Forms of sleep apnea, central hypoventilation syndromes, obesity hypoventilation syndrome, sleep-related hypoxemia disorder are linked to adverse cardiac, general and oral health conditions.
What Are the Signs of Snoring?
How do you know if you snore? Aside from the obvious noise your partner or family member might hear and the fact that you might experience unrestful sleeps, there are a few other signs that indicate that you might snore based on the condition and health of the mouth and teeth.
When snoring is related to a lack of oxygen or reduced airflow, the brain signals the jaw to clench and/or grind the teeth. This can cause gum recession, cracked teeth and damage to the enamel of the teeth.
What Precautions Can You Take to Prevent Snoring?
There may be preventive lifestyle changes you can make to reduce your snoring such as,
- Use a body pillow to prevent you from rolling onto your back
- Use pillows to prop the upper body up during sleep to reduce any restrictions of airflow
- Follow a healthy diet to improve digestive issues that lead to snoring
- Avoid alcohol consumption and over-the-counter sedatives before bedtime
- Regular exercise can help improve breathing issues and maintain a healthy weight.
Available Treatments for Solutions for Snoring
How do dentists stop snoring? If snoring is affecting your sleep or breathing capabilities or affecting your partner’s sleep, consider the dental services at Princeview Dental. There are customized oral appliances available to reposition the jaw to keep the airway open and clear that help alleviate this condition.
Visit Princeview Dental to Get Professional Dental Treatments for Snoring
For every day and emergency dental care in Etobicoke, contact Princeview Dental Group! Our dental appliances can help reduce snoring episodes. Diagnosis and treatment by practitioner, Dr. Janice Mummery, at our recently refurbished office provides a friendly and judgment-free zone for everyone. This treatment, known as Obstructive Airway Therapy, requires an applicable be worn at night while sleeping. Call us today at (416) 231-4562 to book an appointment.
