Elmwood Dental
Your West Hartford, CT Dentist

You Want to Turn to Us If You Snore, Here's Why

Posted on 12/15/2019 by Elmwood Dental Group

Do you snore? If so, you're definitely not the only one. The National Sleep Foundation estimates that 30 to 50 percent of the U.S. population snores at some point.

To get help, most believe they can only go and turn to their primary care physician. But did you know that you can also talk to your dentist? Here is why.

What Are The Causes of Your Snoring?

Snoring happens because there is some sort of obstruction in your airway during the night. The way the American Dental Association explains this is the obstruction can be caused by either the tongue or soft tissues of the mouth. When those tissues on the top of your mouth come in contact with each other the resulting noises are your snoring.

How Can We Help?

If you or your spouse are fed up with the problem, mention it to our staff. Be prepared with an explanation of the pattern of noises. Is it long and consistent or partial snores throughout the night? There are several tests that our dental practice can arrange for you to partake at night. One of these tests is a sleep study. This can help provide us an idea of the problem. There are also other remedies we will recommend. Common ones include the basics from tips found on The National Institutes of Health National Institute on Aging.

They include strategies like working on losing some weight. Too much weight can cause restrictions around your breathing or weight on your lungs. Consume less alcohol at night before bed. Alcohol interferes with your circadian rhythm. Change from sleeping on your back to your side or stomach (Easier said than done).

Between the support from our staff and some of our sleep tests, we can get to the bottom of the problem and help you and your partner receive restful nights of sleep.