Many people who snore constantly don’t realize that the habit might be a bigger problem than it seems. While occasional snoring is typical for most people, the chronic occurrence of it could mean that something is inhibiting your ability to breathe properly when you sleep. Fortunately, this may be solvable with help from a custom-designed snoring appliance, which can be made to offer comfortable support that prevents your airway from being obstructed while you sleep. In many cases, a sleep appliance may also help if your snoring is a sign of a more serious disorder known as obstructive sleep apnea.
Understanding the cause of your snoring habit
The chronic habit of snoring can often be traced to a problem that causes one or more types of oral tissues to collapse into your airway while you sleep. This can partially obstruct your airway, forcing you to breathe through a tighter space that increases the air pressure of every breath. The greater pressure causes the tissues and walls in your throat to vibrate loudly with each breath, which is the sound that comes out as snoring. Because of the nature of chronic snoring, treating it can often be simple and involve ensuring that the airway remains clear while you sleep.
How a custom appliance can address this
A snoring appliance is a small, custom designed appliance that’s made specifically to address the underlying cause of your chronic snoring. It accomplishes this by supporting your lower jaw in a comfortable but slightly forward position while you sleep. This helps ensure your airway remains clear and unobstructed, which prevents the obstruction that leads to your breathing becoming louder. A snoring appliance is similar to a more conventional mouthguard, but is smaller and more comfortable to remain unobtrusive as you sleep throughout the night.
If your snoring is a sign of a deeper problem
The obstruction of your airway while you sleep may be a cause of a chronic snoring habit, but in more severe cases, it can also indicate a case of obstructive sleep apnea. Unlike chronic snoring, sleep apnea involves the complete cessation of your breathing due to a complete obstruction of your airway. This may be preceded by increasingly louder snoring as your airway becomes more and more obstructed. For patients who have sleep apnea, a custom-made sleep appliance may also offer optimal support for keeping their airways clear and preventing recurring sleep apnea episodes.
Learn if a snoring appliance can help you
If you snore every night, or suffer from a case of obstructive sleep apnea, then a custom-designed snoring appliance may offer the relief you need to start sleeping peacefully again. To learn more, schedule an appointment or initial consultation by calling Advanced Dental Concepts in Auburn Hills, MI, today at (248) 852-1820.
