Snoring occurs when the vibration of tissues of the respiratory organs produces sound when a person is sleeping. No doubt snoring is firstly a social problem, studies tend to show that it is much more than an annoyance. Snoring occurs when the muscles of the airway relax too much and vibrate when air we breathe passes in and out.
Snoring can be due to various causes. Snoring is a symptom of a sleep apnea, a disorder that is actually quite hard to identify. Sure, snoring can also be due to other issues. Our interest in this article is to seek out the correlation between dental services and sleep apnea.
Do you find yourself sleepiness at work, when driving, or during the entire day? Or having episodes of Choking or gasping that follows the pauses during the night?
The dentist can treat sleep apnea. However, for the proper treatment of snoring problems, it is crucial to be aware of how snoring differs from obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). The treatment modalities available at the dental office is proven to be actually useful in significantly reducing risks of dealing with mild to moderate cases of apnea.
For example, dental orthotics are indicated in the treatment of simple snoring, in mild to moderate obstructive sleep apnea, and in the event of failure of apnea treatment with nCPAP. In cases where the patient is just a snorer, he could be sent to the dentist for an orthotic against snoring
Here’s what the treatment does to the patient. A vestibular shield which is a plastic device fits inside your mouth and blocks the flow of air. This forces the wearer to breathe through your nose, which may prevent you from opening your mouth and snoring.
If you or a loved one are concerned about your snoring or possible sleep apnea, give our dental office in Ashburn, VA a call today for a free consultation.