5 Steps to Take if You Snore

Snoring can come in many forms and can range from just a mild, harmless sound to a potentially dangerous condition called obstructive sleep apnea. Many people do not think of their dentist as a means to help treat snoring, but we can help treat snoring and mild sleep apnea!

If you are someone who snores, it is important to know whether it is harmless or a sign of a more serious issue. Below are a few things you can do to make sure you are staying healthy!

1: Change Your Habits

• Losing weight
• Avoid alcohol
• Sleep on your side or upright
• Use a humidifier, decongestants, or nasal strips to help you breathe better while you sleep.

2: Self-Evaluate Your Snoring

Ask your partner or family members if they hear you snore or gasp at night while you're sleeping. You can also record yourself while you sleep. There are many free apps right on your phone that you can use to help record sounds that you're making at night.

3: Talk to a Doctor

Consult with your physician and/or your dentist for advice or evaluation. As dentists, we are particularly well suited to help with snoring or sleep apnea because we're familiar with the mouth and the upper airway. We see our patients regularly and are the only health care providers licensed to fabricate custom oral appliances for the treatment of snoring and sleep apnea. 

4: Get a Sleep Test

This is really the only way to know for sure what's happening while you sleep. Tests can vary from a simple at-home version to a more involved hospital-based test. It can help us determine sleeping, breathing, and snoring patterns, blood oxygen levels, heart rate, and many other factors for a proper diagnosis.

5: Follow Through with Treatments

Follow through with the advice of treatment recommendations. This may include self-monitoring and symptoms, use of an oral sleep appliance or c-pap machine, or even sometimes surgery. Your dentist, physician, and sleep specialists can help you come up with a plan to appropriately treat your condition.

Learn More About Snoring 

If you or someone you love snores, contact us today at Coshocton Dentistry to learn more about your next steps.