For anyone who has been kept awake at night by a snoring partner, a treatment that can prevent the noise and disruption is something dreams are made of. The gentle nudges, use of earplugs and even sleeping in a different room are tactics many resort to in order to try and get a good night’s sleep, but it just seems that some people are prone to snoring. So, what causes it and is there such a thing as an effective snoring treatment? Let’s find out. 

What causes snoring? 

When you fall asleep your body relaxes and so too does your mouth. This causes the airways to partially close and the tongue, throat and neck muscles to relax which can result in them vibrating. It is this vibration that manifests itself in the snoring sounds that can prevent and disrupt sleep.  

Though snoring can happen to anyone at any time, you are more likely to snore if you are: 

• Overweight 
• Smoke 
• Sleep on your back 
• Drink too much alcohol 

Sleep apnoea can also cause snoring as the airways become temporarily blocked. You may find yourself snoring temporarily if you have a stuffy nose or blocked sinuses, caused by a cold or virus.  

If snoring is disrupting your sleep, or that of your partner, then you might be wondering what help is available to treat the condition. 

Different types of snoring treatment 

It is worth pointing out initially, that there are different causes for snoring and it is sometimes best to look at this root cause before seeking the most appropriate snoring treatment. For example, you might snore because your tongue is partially blocking the back of your mouth when you sleep, in which case a mandibular advancement device to bring your tongue forward might be beneficial. Or, you might have narrow nasal passages that are contributing to snoring and this can be resolved by wearing a strip across the nose to hold the airways open whilst you sleep. 

Your dentist can also provide advice and treatment to help prevent snoring. As experts in all matters oral, dentists can provide custom made dental appliances which you can wear at night to stop the lower jaw from dropping back whilst sleeping and thus prevent snoring. These devices stop the airway from closing and vibrating and because they are custom made to your mouth, they are more likely to fit, feel comfortable and be effective when compared to off the shelf solutions. 

What happens if you don’t treat snoring? 

You might think it is something that you just have to put up with, but snoring can have a negative impact on your life, whether you are the person who snores, or the one who has to sleep next to them. As the snoring will most likely keep you awake at night or cause broken sleep, it can lead to lack of concentration, lack of energy, mood swings and irritability. 

Tackling the root cause of snoring or making small changes to your lifestyle can really make a difference. Stopping smoking, cutting down on the amount of alcohol you drink and keeping your weight within a healthy range can all contribute to reducing snoring.  If you find that lifestyle changes alone don’t help, then it’s time to find out about the treatments available.  

Whether snoring treatment is effective really depends on what is causing it and then finding the right treatment to address the issue. Speaking to your dentist about a custom made dental appliance might be the most effective solution as it will be tailored to your mouth. 

For more advice or to find a snoring treatment in London you can visit riversidedentalspa.com.