Most of us know someone who snores—maybe it’s your partner, and their noisy nighttime habit is keeping you up. While snoring is often dismissed as a minor annoyance, it can be a sign of something more serious, like obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Understanding what causes snoring and how to address it can improve both your partner’s health and your sleep quality.
Why Does Snoring Happen?
Snoring occurs when airflow is partially blocked in the upper airway, causing vibrations that produce sound. This blockage can be due to the tongue falling back, relaxed throat muscles, or nasal congestion. In some cases, snoring is just noise—but in others, it signals an underlying sleep disorder like OSA, where breathing stops repeatedly throughout the night.
What Can Help Reduce Snoring?
Encourage Better Sleep Positioning
Sleeping on the back can worsen snoring by allowing the tongue and soft tissues to collapse into the airway. Encourage your partner to sleep on their side, using a supportive pillow or positional therapy techniques to maintain this position.
Address Nasal Congestion
If your partner’s snoring is linked to a stuffy nose, improving nasal airflow can help. Nasal strips, saline sprays, humidifiers, or allergy treatments can reduce blockages and make breathing easier.
Reduce Alcohol and Sedative Use
Alcohol and sedatives relax the muscles in the throat, increasing airway obstruction and worsening snoring. Avoiding these substances, especially in the evening, can make a noticeable difference.
Consider a Custom Dental Sleep Appliance
Dentists trained in sleep medicine can provide a specialized oral appliance designed to reposition the jaw and keep the airway open. These appliances are a great alternative for those who cannot tolerate a CPAP machine or have mild to moderate OSA.
Get Evaluated for Sleep Apnea
If snoring is accompanied by gasping, choking, daytime fatigue, or morning headaches, it could be a sign of OSA. A professional sleep study can determine if treatment is needed to prevent long-term health risks like high blood pressure, heart disease, and stroke.
Where Does a Dentist Fit In?
Dentists with expertise in sleep disorders can recognize oral signs of OSA and recommend a sleep study. If diagnosed, they can provide a custom-fitted dental sleep appliance to improve breathing and reduce snoring.
If your partner’s snoring is affecting their sleep—and yours—it’s time to take action. Schedule an appointment via our contact form or call 403-407-5730.
*all procedures at our practice are performed by a general dentist
