Snoring Prevention and Sleep Apnea

While snoring might seem like a minor problem that simply annoys a sleeper’s spouse, the truth is it can indicate a serious health problem. A person who snores heavily might actually suffer from sleep apnea, a breathing problem during sleep that is so severe it causes a person’s blood oxygen levels to drop. Lowered oxygen levels and the resulting disturbances to one’s sleep can have a damaging effect on alertness and overall health.

We can help you on how to determine whether your problem is simply that you snore or if it’s the more serious sleep apnea. Either way, we can help you achieve quieter nights of rest.

A man is sleeping in a bed with a woman laying next to him.

What Causes Snoring or Apnea?

If the muscles in the throat and back of the mouth relax too much during sleep, soft tissues can collapse toward the back of the mouth, obstructing the airway. The restriction of air passage causes a vibration in these tissues and that results in snoring.

In some instances, the tongue may also slip to the back of the mouth, obstructing the airway even more. This person has to partly wake up and gasp to get a breath. It’s during these struggles to breathe that the blood oxygen can drop.

To prevent snoring or sleep apnea, we can fit you with an appliance that moves your lower jaw forward to keep your air passages open during sleep. This device can put an end to nighttime breathing problems and increase daytime well-being.

If you’re snoring or struggling to breathe at night,

please call us at (201) 451-1600 or make an appointment via our website.