Treatment for Chronic Snoring

Chronic snoring can be an irritating issue for both you and your partner. However, did you know that frequent snoring may also be a sign of a serious sleep disorder? For millions of Americans, obstructive sleep apnea, or OSA, stands between them and a good night’s rest. Your Livingston NJ dentists, Dr. David Silverstrom and Dr. Gary Silverstrom, can identify and prescribe treatment for OSA and help you stop snoring.
Why Do We Snore?
What causes a patient to snore? People snore when the soft tissue in the back of the throat partially obstructive airflow. When air is forced through, the tissue vibrates, creating that obnoxious sound we associate with snoring. Sleep apnea occurs when airflow becomes completely blocked, causing the patient to stop breathing. As a result, the brain must wake the patient up. After several nights of this, patients become irritable and sleep deprived. Sleep apnea also increases the risk of depression, high blood pressure, heart attack, and stroke.
How do you know if you suffer from sleep apnea? In addition to regular snoring, sleep apnea sufferers frequently wake up choking or gasping for air. You may also experience daytime drowsiness and an inability to focus at work or school.
Stop Snoring
Dr. David or Gary Silverstrom will perform an examination and diagnose the cause of your sleep issues. If sleep apnea is behind your snoring, they may recommend an oral appliance. Similar to a night guard, the dental device will reposition the jaw forward to open airways and allow easy breathing.
In addition, there a number of other methods of reducing snoring, including:
· Losing weight
· Changing your sleep position
· Maintaining a regular sleep schedule
· Keeping your room dark and cool
· Removing the TV from your bedroom
· Avoiding alcohol and caffeine in the hours before bed
Simple lifestyle changes like those listed above can decrease snoring and sleep apnea symptoms, improving your productivity and mood with a full night of rejuvenating sleep.
About Dr. David Silverstrom and Dr. Gary Silverstrom: The Silverstrom Dental Group provides the latest in comprehensive dental care for patients in Livingston, NJ and surrounding communities. To schedule an appointment, call (973) 797-9345.