Snoring Treatment in Hamden

Snoring while sleeping is a common behavior for many people. Most people are not aware that they snore unless they are told. Because it is so commonplace, it is easy to disregard snoring. But in reality, snoring is an indication of an obstruction to the airway. Some people even stop breathing for seconds at a time in their sleep. Snoring occurs because the soft tissues of your mouth and throat collapse and block your airway. When you breathe in and out these tissues vibrate, causing the snoring sound. 

Snoring can disrupt your sleep and prevent you from getting much-needed rest at night, in addition to disrupting the sleep of your spouse or partner. If snoring is a problem for you, Golia Dental can help.

Snoring is most commonly treated in the following ways: 

• CPAP machine. If you see your physician about snoring, they may recommend that you get a CPAP machine, which is considered the gold standard. CPAP stands for Continuous Positive Airway Pressure. You wear a mask over your mouth and nose with a hose that connects to the CPAP machine. A continuous flow of air is forced in through the mask to keep your airway open while you sleep. It is highly effective, but bulky and somewhat noisy. Some people find it hard to sleep with this, especially if they are light sleepers.

• Oral appliance. If you see your dentist about snoring, they may recommend an oral appliance to stop your snoring. A snore guard is worn in the mouth at night to reposition your jaw and, if necessary, open the vertical dimension so that the soft tissues of your mouth and throat won’t slide back to block your airway. A snore guard is small and easy to travel with. It is custom-made to fit your mouth for optimal comfort. Many patients prefer a snore guard to a CPAP machine because it is comfortable, compact, and silent.

• Sleep Study. A sleep study is usually a prerequisite to getting medical or dental insurance coverage.

How do I know if I need a snore guard?

If your spouse or someone who has heard you snore in your sleep brings it to your attention, you should consider getting a snore guard. If you wake up feeling tired every day and often feel tired throughout the day, you most likely are not getting quality sleep at night that could be due to snoring. 

Can a snore guard be used for sleep apnea?

In cases of severe sleep apnea, a snore guard may not be enough to solve the problem. You may need to use a CPAP machine if the snore guard does not stop your snoring or your symptoms are more severe. 

What causes snoring? 

There are a variety of situations and conditions that can cause snoring:

• Inflammation of the tissues in the mouth nose or throat (including tonsils)
• Blocked nasal passages (often caused by a cold or allergies)
• Lack of muscle tone (due to aging or poor fitness levels)
• Obesity causes the airway to narrow
• Medicines that cause relaxation

Is a snore guard comfortable?

Your snore guard will be custom-made to fit your teeth and mouth for optimal comfort. It may take just a few nights to get used to wearing your snore guard, but once you do you should experience better quality sleep.