Sleep Apnea and Snoring – Owings Mills, MD

The Connection between Sleep Apnea and Snoring

Does your partner routinely complain about your loud, chronic snoring? Although snoring may seem like a simple nuisance, it could indicate a more serious condition called sleep apnea, where breathing during sleep ceases for prolonged periods of time. Then again, your snoring could result from another cause. If you suspect that you snore due to sleep apnea, you should get evaluated in a sleep study. The good news is that our team at Diamond Dental or Owings Mills can help you finally get a good night’s rest every night. Taking the time to be evaluated and treated for sleep apnea in Owings Mills can help you and your partner have a higher quality of life.

What Causes Snoring?

If you snore, it doesn’t automatically mean that you have sleep apnea. You can snore from nasal congestion, weight, alcohol or tobacco use, or enlarged tonsils, basically the tissues relax and interfere with your ability to breathe smoothly. Hence, the rough sound of snoring. With sleep apnea, these tissues can completely obstruct the airway, potentially causing you to wake up gasping for breath but at minimum creating lapses in breathing.

Does My Snoring Point to Sleep Apnea?

Because you’re asleep when you snore, it can be very difficult to self-diagnose sleep apnea. That’s why it’s important to be evaluated in a sleep study. They can tell you whether your snoring stems from a milder condition or something more serious. If sleep apnea turns out to be the cause, then you can seek professional help from your dentist in Owings Mills.

Dr. Mattson can provide a custom oral appliance that keeps your facial tissues in a more forward position for easy, consistent breathing throughout the night. Compared to a CPAP machine, oral appliances are far less invasive and more comfortable to wear during sleep, alleviating sleep apnea symptoms.

Why Is Treating Sleep Apnea Important?

At first glance, sleep apnea may not appear dangerous, but it can have a huge impact on your health. Studies have shown that untreated sleep apnea increases the risk of heart disease, depression, and experiencing a cardiovascular event such as a stroke. Plus, without sufficient quality sleep, your judgement and reaction time can be impaired, potentially leading to unnecessary accidents.

Are you ready to feel well rested when you wake up in the morning? Contact our team at Diamond Dental of Owings Mills to learn more about sleep apnea treatment with Dr. Mattson.