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How to Stop Snoring

Sleep Apnea

Everybody snores sometimes

An estimated 50% of adults snore regularly. At best, loud snoring can negatively affect the sleep of your partner and family members. At worst, snoring can be a sign of obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA). Where do you fall on that spectrum? Let’s find out.

Our dentists help people in Macquarie family dental stop snoring and start sleeping better. Book an appointment today to talk to our sleep apnoea dentists.

What causes snoring?

Snoring occurs when your tongue and other tissues in the back of your throat relax after you fall asleep. As your airway narrows and airflow speed increases, your relaxed tissues begin to vibrate. This vibration creates the snorting or rattling sounds we call snoring.

6 reasons why you might be snoring

Sleeping on your back
Taking a muscle relaxant
Drinking too much alcohol
Suffering from a cold or congestion
Crowded teeth or misaligned jaw
Obstructive sleep apnea

Does snoring mean you have sleep apnea?

Not all people who snore have obstructive sleep apnea, but snoring is a common symptom of sleep apnea.

To evaluate your risk of sleep apnea, keep an eye out for snoring accompanied by any of the following symptoms:

Breathing that pauses during sleep
Daytime sleepiness and difficulty concentrating
Severe morning headaches
Sore throat upon awakening
Gasping or choking at night
Chest pain at night

Note: A recent study estimated that 5% Australian suffer from obstructive sleep apnoea with over 1 in 4 men over the age of 30 affected. we recommend talking to a sleep specialist.

Hear from
our patients

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After many years using the services provided by Macquarie Family Dental, I know to arrive a fraction earlier than the appointment time as the assistant will call me on time.
The staff are always friendly and the attention given during the procedure, regardless of whether it’s major or just routine check up, is excellent.
During my recent visit, even though I wore a mask to the waiting room, I felt confident removing it once I was in the chair.
I thoroughly recommend the practise

–Helen Joice

Your teeth may be causing you to snore!

Watch out for these symptoms signaling that your snoring may be related to your oral health:

Sore or painful jaw — If you wake up with a sore jaw, it could be a sign that your snoring is the result of improper jaw positioning or posture.
Broken teeth or swollen gums — If your teeth show signs of wear and tear or if you’re experiencing swollen or sensitive gums, this could be a sign that you’re grinding your teeth at night, which may be at the root of your snoring.

How to stop snoring

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Lifestyle Changes

The right steps to prevent snoring vary depending on the exact cause. However, there are changes you can make starting today to improve your oral health and limit your risk of snoring and sleep apnea.

Avoiding alcohol before bed
Exercising and eating a balanced diet
Sleeping on your side
Drinking lots of water
Raising your pillow

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Over-the-counter Tricks

Nasal strips
Vicks VapoRub
Humidifiers

While at-home treatments may help stifle some kinds of snoring in some people, they are not a permanent fix. If you want a long-lasting solution, seek professional treatment instead.

Medical Treatments

In addition to lifestyle changes, we recommend meeting with your dentist to evaluate your situation. There are a variety of treatments that we may recommend depending on the cause of your snoring:

An oral appliance to keep your airway open and reduce clenching and grinding (offered here in our office!)
Wisdom teeth removal or upper airway surgery
Meeting with a sleep specialist to evaluate your candidacy for a Continuous Positive Air Pressure (CPAP) machine

Have more questions about snoring?

Talk to our dentists! We’d love to hear from you and help you understand the connection between your dental health and your quality of sleep. Or book online now to get a custom-made oral appliance.