Snoring isn’t just an annoyance. It can have serious health consequences. At St. Mary’s Dental, we can help you determine if your snoring is related to sleep apnea.
What is Snoring?
Snoring is caused by a blockage in the airway. The obstruction can be caused by:
- Poor muscle tone in the throat and tongue—when muscles relax they can collapse into the airway. Alcohol use and sleeping pills can make this more likely.
- Thick throat tissue—Excess weight can be a contributing factor.
- Swollen tonsils and adenoids—Most common in children.
- Long uvula or soft palate
- Nasal congestion
- Deviated septum
People who snore may have a condition called sleep apnea—a potentially health-threatening condition in which your breathing lapses while you are snoozing. This can occur hundreds of times at night.
If your snoring keeps your bed partner from sleeping, his or her health is also influenced. Failure to get enough restorative sleep contributes to a plethora of physical and mental conditions.
Most of us have experienced trouble concentrating when we haven’t gotten enough sleep. Did you know that can limit a person’s motor function and reaction time as seriously as intoxication?
Other possible related health problems include heart disease, obesity, depression, and diabetes.
So why is a post about snoring and sleep deprivation in a dental blog? Your dentist can treat either of these potentially harmful conditions.
If you suspect that you suffer from either snoring or sleep apnea, we invite you to book an appointment today to talk about treatment.
Contact St. Mary’s Dental:
301-884-3248
Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):
28169 Old Village Rd
Mechanicsville, Maryland
20659
