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Snoring is an issue that affects nearly half of all adults. In most cases, it is nothing more than a slightly embarrassing problem that may cause sleep disruptions to the snorer or their partner; however, snoring can also be a sign of restricted breathing caused by obstructive sleep apnea.
The oral care experts at Cambridge Dental Group are prepared to take a closer look at your snoring to find out if it is part of something more serious. Once we determine the cause, our team will get to work on putting a rest to your snoring dilemma. With our help, you and your partner should be able to sleep more soundly.
The most common cause of snoring is a blockage of flowing air through the passages located at the back of the mouth and the nose. This is caused by the throat becoming relaxed enough during sleep that it partially blocks the airway, resulting in vibrations that occur when breathing. Since the throat must be very relaxed for this to happen, snoring usually takes place when a person is in their deepest level of sleep. Although snoring can be annoying for the snorer and their partner, it is most often not a serious problem.
That does not mean that snoring should be taken lightly. In some cases, snoring can be a telling sign of a much more serious condition called obstructive sleep apnea. This disorder is characterized by lapses in breathing and shallow breaths while a person is asleep. When sleep apnea occurs, pauses in breathing may last anywhere from a few seconds to a minute or longer. If sleep apnea is not treated, it can lead to more serious conditions, such as heart attack and stroke.
Although snoring and sleep apnea are heavily correlated, they have very different treatment methods.
Snoring is usually caused by a person’s lifestyle and sleeping habits. Making some slight changes can drastically reduce a person’s snoring habit. These changes include:
After the etching solution has done its job, the solution will be rinsed off, and the tooth will be re-dried. At this point, the tooth is ready for sealing. Acrylic sealant will be painted onto the tooth and be given time to fully dry. The dentist will make sure that the tooth has been fully sealed and that all deep grooves and fissures are adequately blocked off.
