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The Benefits of Wearing a Snoring Appliance

The Benefits of Wearing a Snoring Appliance

May 1, 2023

Has a bedmate, family member, or roommate complained about your snoring? Sometimes snoring can be so loud that it affects the other people sleeping in the room. If this is what happens daily, then the time has come for you to get a snoring appliance in Toronto, ON.

In some cases, snoring can indicate that you have sleep apnea, which is a subtle but severe sleep disorder. The disorder is caused by a blockage of the airways when you sleep, leading to breathing pauses. But it doesn’t mean that if you snore, you automatically have sleep apnea.

Either way, you will need to make your way to our office to get checked so that we can ascertain whether you are dealing only with snoring or sleep apnea.

Snoring 101

As mentioned before, snoring does not directly indicate that you suffer from sleep apnea. But, on the flip side, you will snore if you have sleep apnea.

Now and then, most people snore, but it is not a daily occurrence. If it happens daily, it means that snoring is a chronic issue, disrupting the other people sleeping in the room.

Snoring is a harsh, croaky, or horse sound that occurs when air flows past the tissue that has over-relaxed in your throat, causing it to vibrate when you breathe. But chronic snoring should be checked out since it could be a sign of an underlying condition that needs to be addressed.

What Causes Snoring?

Snoring can be caused by a myriad of issues that range from weight to anatomy allergies. But whichever the case, whenever you dose off and drift from light sleep to deep sleep, the soft muscles in the mouth relax and partially block the airways. So, these soft tissues are the ones that vibrate when you breathe.

When the airways become narrower, the more forceful the airflow will become. Therefore, the vibration will significantly increase, which means that the snoring will become louder. Some of the conditions that lead to the blockage of your airways, which causes snoring:

  • Sleep deprivation. If you don’t get enough sleep, there might be further relaxation of your throat
  • Mouth anatomy. If you have a thick, low, and soft palate, your airways can narrow when you sleep. Plus, if you are overweight, the tissues in the back of your throat can also make the airways narrow
  • Sleep position. Snoring becomes louder when you lie on your back since gravity’s effect on the airways will cause them to become narrow
  • Alcohol consumption. Snoring can also arise because of too much alcohol consumption before you sleep.
  • Nasal problems. If you have an issue with your nostrils, such as a crooked partition or chronic nasal congestion, then you will also snore

How Is Snoring Treated?

If you suffer from snoring, you will need medical care. It is most likely that the first cause of action might be lifestyle changes to try and alleviate the symptoms. You might even get prescription inhalers or pills to help you sleep better. Oral surgery is usually the last option when everything else has been ineffective.

But in most cases, you will receive an anti-snoring device, such as a sleep apnea mouth guard, if the underlying cause is sleep apnea.

In other cases, you will just get an oral device that will help keep the airways open. These devices work by opening the airways and stopping the loud snores.

What Are the Benefits of the Snoring Appliances?

Getting a snore guard will come with several benefits, which might include the following:

  • Quiet – Since you will get a solution for opening the airways, the loud snoring will die down, leading to a tranquil night. Plus, an oral appliance is silent as compared to a CPAP machine
  • Comfort – the oral appliances, such as a snore guard, are customized to fit your mouth, which means that they will be snug and comfortable
  • Effective treatment – oral appliances are the best alternatives to CPAP machines since they are designed to keep the soft tissues from blocking the airways
  • Low-maintenance – It is quite easy to clean and maintain an oral appliance. You just clean a toothbrush with mild soap to keep the appliance germ-free.
  • Easy travel – Traveling with a bulky machine, such as a CPAP machine, can be challenging. However, an oral appliance is lightweight and small, which makes it easier to carry.

If you need treatment for snoring, contact us at Arlington Dental in Ontario to schedule an appointment.