Snoring – that annoying sound that often doesn’t bother the snorer but wakes up the rest of the household. By itself, snoring isn’t a big concern (except to those who have to listen to it). But snoring may be a sign of a potentially serious condition called sleep apnea.

What is sleep apnea?

Sleep apnea is defined as repeated lapses in breathing of 10 seconds or longer. Sufferers of sleep apnea may experience hundreds of these episodes each night. The causes include anatomical structures that relax onto each other during sleep, blocked airways, and obesity.

How is snoring linked to sleep apnea?

When air tries to force its way through a closed passageway, tissues vibrate and cause the sound we call snoring.

Why is sleep apnea dangerous?

When oxygen intake can’t flow freely or stops entirely, the brain senses it and tells the body to wake up and breath. You may wake up entirely or enter a lighter stage of sleep with the result being the same: a lack of restorative slumber that causes daytime drowsiness, mental confusion, and irritability. Your risk of experiencing an accident at your job or behind the wheel of your car increases, as well.

Sleep apnea can affect whole-body health and has been linked to high blood pressure, heart attack, stroke, and other serious conditions.

What’s the treatment for snoring and sleep apnea?

Dr. Morgan and Dr. Pruski of Brush Country Dental & Specialty Center offer oral appliance therapy to combat snoring and sleep apnea. A small, comfortable nightguard custom-fitted for your mouth holds the jaw slightly forward to keep airways open. Oxygen flows freely, restful sleep is restored, and snoring stops.

Oral appliance therapy provides an attractive alternative to CPAP and delivers comfortable, lasting relief to restore health and wellbeing.