You may not realize it, but about one quarter of the adult population snores. Most of the time the person snoring is a male, but as women age, they begin to snore too. Snoring occurs because when you fall asleep, your air passages get blocked by either your tongue or the uvula (that little flap that hangs down in the middle of your mouth). The horrible noise you hear that keeps you awake and drives you nuts is the vibration that happens when these parts collide. And because they are affected every time someone breathes in and out, snoring can be a continuous annoyance. So what do snoring and sleep apnea in Anaheim have to do with each other? And what in the world does a dentist have to do with either of them?
First of all, you need to know that because of the process that takes place during snoring, it actually causes the snorer to not sleep soundly. That can make for a pretty miserable life, for not only the snorer, but for the person who has to listen to the snoring. Snoring can also be a sign of more serious problems, like sleep apnea where a person actually stops breathing because of the blockage that takes place in the mouth. Snoring and sleep apnea in Anaheim can go hand in hand and cause everyone in the house to have a miserable night of sleep.
This is where our dentistry comes into play. There are dental appliances that are custom fitted and used to keep the air passages open while you sleep. These appliances or dental mouth guards are similar to orthodontic retainers. Their purpose is to hold your tongue and your jaw in the proper position so that your airways remain clear while you sleep. When the air passages are clear and nothing gets in the way of them, you will sleep more soundly and lesson the risk that you will stop breathing.
If you or anyone in your family suffers from snoring and sleep apnea in Anaheim, give our dental office on Canyon Rim Road at 714-637-8003. Our friendly staff will make an appointment for you to be evaluated for a sleep apnea appliance.
