Take Control of Your Snoring with Simple, Non-surgical Treatment
Snoring is a widespread condition that can disrupt your sleep and that of your bed partner. In the US, at least 45% snore sometimes, and 25% are chronic snorers. While occasional snoring is nothing to worry about, chronic snoring can affect your sleep and relationship with your bed partner. Worse yet, it can be a sign of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), a severe condition that can heighten the risk of heart disease, diabetes, hypertension, and stroke.
Are you concerned about your snoring? Visit Dentistry by Brian Weber for effective treatment in St Louis Park, Minnesota. Dr. Brian Weber, DDS, uses simple oral appliances to treat snoring and restore sleep and quality of life.
What causes snoring?
Snoring happens when air flow through your mouth is partly blocked while you sleep. This causes the surrounding tissues—like the soft palate and uvula—to vibrate, creating the familiar snoring, snorting, or rattling sound.
Several factors can cause snoring, including:
- Anatomy: Enlarged tonsils, a narrowed airway, and a bigger tongue may make you susceptible to snoring.
- Sleeping position: If you sleep on your back, relaxed throat muscles can partially block your airway, causing snoring.
- Infections: Obstructed nasal passages from allergies, sinus infections, or a deviated septum.
- Unhealthy weight: Excess weight, especially around the neck, can narrow the airway.
- Alcohol and drugs: Alcohol or sedative use before bed overly relaxes the muscles.
- Gender: Studies show that men snore twice as often as women and typically produce louder snoring sounds.
- Obstructive sleep apnea: Sleep apnea is a serious condition where breathing repeatedly stops during sleep.
When should I be concerned about snoring?
Snoring should be considered a concern if it occurs frequently, is loud, or is accompanied by other symptoms that could indicate an underlying issue, especially obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).
Warning signs that snoring could be more than a mere nuisance include:
- Pauses in breathing during sleep (noticed by a partner)
- Gasping or choking sounds during the night
- Excessive daytime sleepiness or difficulty staying awake
- Morning headaches
- Dry mouth or sore throat upon waking
- Unrefreshed sleep
- Difficulty concentrating or mood changes
If snoring affects your sleep quality or your partner’s—especially if it’s paired with any of the above symptoms—it’s wise to consult a sleep doctor. A professional evaluation can help determine whether your snoring is harmless or a sign of something more serious.
What is the treatment for snoring?
If lifestyle changes, such as altering your sleeping position or exercising, have not effectively reduced your snoring, we can recommend oral appliance treatment.
We use mandibular advancement devices (MADs), which are custom-made oral appliances worn during sleep. These devices gently reposition your lower jaw (mandible) and tongue forward, helping to alleviate snoring.
- Open the airway in the back of the throat
- Prevent soft tissues from collapsing and blocking airflow
- Reduce or eliminate vibrations that cause snoring sounds
MADs are a simple, effective snoring treatment for patients who don’t need surgery or can’t tolerate CPAP therapy.
Snoring treatment near me in St Louis Park, Minnesota
Dentistry by Brian Weber has helped countless patients address their snoring. So, why not do it for you? Are you tired of snoring disrupting your sleep, or your partner’s? Take the first step toward quieter nights and better rest. Call (952) 925-3555 and reserve your consultation with Dr. Brian Weber, DDS, and his team.
