What Causes Snoring? Why Do People Snore?

Is someone in your home keeping you up with snoring? Or worse, do you wake yourself up snoring?

Roughly half of the people in the world snore at some point in life. It happens to people of all ages and genders, but research shows it happens more frequently as we age. While we often joke about snoring habits, it’s often an indication of a more serious health problem.

When is snoring an issue? Keep reading as we discuss what causes snoring, why people snore, and the treatment options that are available.

What Causes Snoring?

People snore when the airways in their throat and mouth become narrowed, causing the air to flow through them more rapidly and create vibrations.

This can be caused by a variety of factors. Some of the most common causes of snoring include being overweight and having extra weight around the neck, having allergies or a cold, sleeping on your back, and drinking alcohol before bed. Enlarged tonsils or tongue, as well as the shape of your jaw or nose can also cause snoring.

In some cases, snoring may also be a sign of a more severe condition, such as sleep apnea, so it’s important to talk to your doctor if you’re experiencing frequent or loud snoring.

Treatment for Snoring

There are several treatments available for snoring, depending on the underlying cause.

Some common treatments include losing weight, avoiding alcohol before bed, sleeping on your side, and using nasal strips or decongestants to open up the airways.

In more severe cases, your doctor may recommend a device that helps keep your airways open, such as a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine or surgery to remove excess tissue from the throat or palate.

To ensure the best treatment for snoring, it’s best to discuss possible options such as:

Injection Snoreplasty – Using the agent sodium tetradecyl sulfate, this method involves injecting a chemical into the soft palate to cause the tissue to stiffen, decreasing the vibration that causes snoring. This method sometimes requires multiple injections to achieve results

Palatal (Pillar) Implants – This is when rigid fiber implants are surgically placed into the soft palate of your mouth. These implants stiffen the palate, which lessens the vibration that causes snoring. This method offers a fast recovery with mild discomfort. There are times when other modifications need to be made, such as shortening a long palate or the uvula.

Tonsillectomy and Adenoidectomy – A common cause of snoring are enlarged tonsils and adenoids. Both are mounds and clusters of tissue that are found in the back of the throat and nose.

Nasal Surgery – Allergies, smoking, and structural narrowing all contribute to snoring. To help treat nasal congestion, steroid nasal spray, and other allergy treatments may be performed. Structural problems often require surgical treatment.

How a Dentist Helps with Snoring

A dentist can help with snoring in several ways.

First, they can determine if the snoring is caused by a dental issue, such as misaligned teeth or an obstruction in the airway. If this is the case, the dentist can recommend appropriate treatment, such as braces or a mouthguard.

In other cases, the dentist may refer the patient to a sleep specialist for further evaluation and treatment.

The Dental Partners of Vero Beach provide general dentistry services, cosmetic dentistry services, endodontic treatment, and much more! They strive to provide clients with an exceptional and comprehensive approach to overall dental care and health.