Quieter Nights Ahead — What Is the Best Treatment for Snoring?

Occasional light snoring is usually little more than an annoyance. But what if your snoring has become so loud and frequent that it disrupts the quality of your partner’s sleep? Not only might that affect your relationship, but it might also indicate that you have a sleep disorder, known as sleep apnea, that requires professional care! What is the best snoring and sleep apnea treatment in Weatherford? This blog post explores a few options.

Home Remedies

It is important to note that if your snoring is loud and frequent, home remedies might not be enough to eliminate it. You should see a doctor to get evaluated for sleep apnea. However, you may notice a reduction in snoring if you take some simple steps:

• Do not drink alcohol before bed or use sleeping pills. These can cause muscles in your throat to over-relax, causing your snoring to worsen.
• Work on your fitness. Weight loss may reduce pressure on your airway, which could have a positive effect on snoring. In some cases, exercise without weight loss can also have good results.
• Do not sleep on your back. Sleeping on your back allows gravity to work against you; tissues in your throat are more likely to collapse, leading to snoring and the breathing pauses that characterize sleep apnea. It is generally best to sleep on your side.

CPAP Therapy

CPAP stands for continuous positive airway pressure. This type of therapy involves a machine that uses pressurized air to prevent your airway from collapsing. It can be a very effective way to prevent pauses in breathing and put a stop to snoring. CPAP machines are only available with a prescription from a qualified doctor; they are usually provided after a sleep test leads to a sleep apnea diagnosis.

While CPAP therapy is effective, it has some downsides. Many patients find their machine to be uncomfortable and noisy, so they do not comply with their treatment. It can also be challenging to travel with.

A Custom Oral Appliance

A custom oral appliance almost looks like a mouthguard that you would wear for sports. However, it serves a completely different purpose. It gently moves the lower jaw forward. This helps to keep your airway open, which can prevent snoring and pauses in breathing. Oral sleep appliances are available from dentists who have completed training in sleep apnea treatment.

Many patients love their oral appliance because it is small, effective, and easy to maintain. This treatment option has a significantly higher compliance rate than CPAP therapy.

NightLase

NightLase uses a laser to tighten the tissues in the throat that are responsible for causing snoring and airway blockages. After just a few sessions, it can provide long-term relief for some patients. It is both painless and non-invasive. It is sometimes offered by sleep dentists and other healthcare practitioners.

What is the best snoring treatment? The answer to that question varies from case to case. Talk to your healthcare provider to learn more about your options for achieving quieter nights and higher-quality sleep.

Meet the Practice

Throughout the last 20 years, Dr. Deborah Romack has attended numerous training courses about airway obstruction, snoring, and obstructive sleep apnea. She is a dentist who specializes in oral appliance therapy. NightLase is also available in our Weatherford practice. If you would like to learn more about your options for conquering snoring and sleep apnea, get in touch with our team at  817-594-3806.