Did you know how dangerous snoring can be to your health?

Snoring affects over 40 per cent of the population all over the world. If you sleep next to a snorer, the nightly noise is likely impacting your sleep as well. Many disregard snoring as an annoyance, a noisy part of life, and don’t take any steps to treat it. Reports from health experts reveal that snoring can be debilitating, can lead to long-term health issues and is potentially life-threatening.?

In this month’s special themed newsletter, to coincide with National Stop Snoring Week, we want to raise awareness about snoring, the health risks associated with snoring and the treatments available.?

Causes of snoring

?Snoring happens when air can’t flow easily through the mouth or nose. When the air is forced through an obstructed area, soft tissues in the mouth, nose and throat bump into each other and vibrate. Several conditions and factors can block airflow. These include:

????Alcohol and other sedatives that relax muscles, restricting airflow

????Excess body fat, which puts pressure on the soft tissues and compresses??the airway

????Pregnancy hormones that cause inflammation in the nose.

????Low muscle tone and muscle weakness in the mouth, nose or throat

????Nasal congestion and inflammation due to a cold, flu, allergies or irritants in the air

????Structural differences in the mouth, nose or throat that decrease the size of the airway

Dental factors that contribute to snoring

??????Missing teeth - missing teeth impact the physiology of your mouth and narrow your airways, which can cause snoring.

????Misaligned jaw - if your bite is wrong or have jaw joint problems, then your jaw may be struggling to support itself during sleep - this, in turn, causes your tongue to partially block your airway

????Teeth grinding - grinding or clenching the teeth is a common problem, especially during sleep. This is also known as bruxism and often leads to a number of health complications, such as sleep apnea

????Crowded teeth - a crowded smile, especially for those of you with a small or narrow jaw, leaves less room for the tongue to sit comfortably and often pushes it further back into the mouth, creating a further blockage to the airways

????Wisdom teeth - those who have not had their wisdom teeth removed may experience swelling of the tissue surrounding the exposed area, which can lead to further inflammation around the airway

????Overly relaxed throat muscles or enlarged tissue - if the muscles in your throat and tongue are too relaxed during sleep, they begin to vibrate against each other, partially blocking airflow

Health risks and side?effects of snoring

Loud or frequent snoring can be a sign of sleep apnea, which is a serious disorder. Long-term snoring increases the risk of health problems, including:?

????Decreased blood oxygen levels

????Difficulty concentrating

????Fatigue?

????Heart attack

????High blood pressure

????Stroke

????Type 2 diabetes

Dental factors that contribute to snoring

????Missing teeth - missing teeth impact the physiology of your mouth and narrow your airways, which can cause snoring.

???Misaligned jaw - if your bite is wrong or have jaw joint problems, then your jaw may be struggling to support itself during sleep - this in turn, causes your tongue to partially block your airway

???Teeth grinding - grinding or clenching the teeth is a common problem, especially during sleep. This is also known as bruxism and often leads to a number of health complications, such as sleep apnea

???Crowded teeth - a crowded smile, especially for those of you with a small or narrow jaw, leaves less room for the tongue to sit comfortably and often pushes it further back into the mouth, creating a further blockage to the airways

???Wisdom teeth - those who have not had their wisdom teeth removed may experience swelling of the tissue surrounding the exposed area, which can lead to further inflammation around the airway

???Overly relaxed throat muscles or enlarged tissue - if the muscles in your throat and tongue are too relaxed during sleep, they begin to vibrate against each other, partially blocking airflow.

Solutions to snoring and 'Sleep Apnea'

You might be able to prevent snoring by changing your lifestyle, diet and daily activities.?

At Harley Street Dental Studio, we can offer you mandibular repositioning devices that will keep your airway open while you sleep by repositioning your lower jaw and pushing the tongue forward. They are the most widely used oral appliance used to solve snoring and sleep apnea.

A second option is a tongue-retaining device – a silicone appliance which keeps the airway open by holding the tongue in place while you sleep. Both these devices are suitable to prevent snoring and aid restful sleep.?

If you are unsure which device might work best for you, talk to the team at Harley Street Dental Studio on 0207 636 5981 to start the process of getting back on the path to a good night's sleep.?