Snoring
Snoring is a common problem for many adults. Nearly 45% of normal adults snore at least occasionally, and 25% are habitual snorers.
SNORING IMPACTS LIFE AND HEALTH
Snoring disrupts a good night’s sleep, and it can seriously affect quality of life for both you and your partner. The loss of sleep from snoring has been shown to play a role in traffic accidents and poor work performance, and it drives many couples to sleep in separate rooms. In addition, if snoring is a symptom of sleep apnea, the following conditions might occur:
- Chronic sleepiness
- High blood pressure
- Heart attack
- Stroke
- Weight gain
- Heartburn
- Morning headache
- Depression
- Impotency
- Diabetes
CAUSES OF SNORING
As you fall asleep, the soft tissue and muscles in your mouth and throat relax, causing your airway to become smaller. If the airway becomes small enough, the soft palate and uvula begin to vibrate with inhaling and exhaling. These vibrations are the cause of snoring.
SIMPLE NEW SNORING SOLUTIONS—ORAL APPLIANCE THERAPY
The various oral appliances used by Dr. Albert for patients in the Seattle area are similar to a sports mouth guard or an orthodontic retainer. They are custom fit for each patient, and constructed of soft, comfortable acrylic. The appliance fits over the upper and lower teeth. Its function is to hold the lower jaw forward so the tongue and soft tissues of the throat do not collapse into the throat causing snoring and sleep apnea. The device is easy to place and remove, easy to clean, and is convenient for travel.
Oral appliance therapy is easily tolerated, and has demonstrated excellent success. Clinical evidence shows that oral appliances are effective in treating snoring in 85-90% of patients.
Distinctive Dentistry, the office of Dr. Joe Albert in Edmonds, WA, is unique in offering a variety of oral appliances to meet your specific needs. These devices are easily adjusted to find and maintain the best fit. Patients often experience immediate improvement in their sleep. Oral Appliance Therapy is easily tolerated, and is recommended by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine as a first-line treatment choice for snoring. Consider these benefits of using Oral Appliance Therapy:
- Easily Adjusted: Oral Appliances are easily adjusted, making it comfortable and maintaining the best fit.
- Immediate results: Most patients experience relief the very first night the device is worn.
- Easy to tolerate: Nine in ten patients wear the device all night, every night—making oral appliances a highly effective solution for both snoring and sleep apnea.
- Simple Solution: With oral appliance therapy, there is no need for surgery, CPAP or medication.
HEALTH BENEFITS FROM SNORING TREATMENT
There are a number of possible health benefits from proper snoring treatment and the resulting improvement in sleep. Among these are:
- Increased alertness and activity
- Higher metabolism
- Increased energy
- Improved general health
If you or a loved one is experiencing symptoms of snoring, contact Dr. Albert at Distinctive Dentistry or complete the simple information form to the right, and we will contact you.
