Moranbah & Nebo
Marian Mackay

Want to know more about Snoring?

Check out our most popular Q&A's

Is snoring normal?

Snoring is the sound caused due to the vibration in your throat caused by a narrowing of the upper airway – may be an indication of something more serious.
Everyone's neck muscles relax during sleep, but sometimes they relax so much that the upper airway partly closes and becomes too narrow for enough air to travel through to the lungs. Most people snore to some extent. However, chronic snoring that is loud and bothersome to others, and/or accompanied by gasps or interrupted breathing, is not normal.
If this describes you, please contact our office for an evaluation. Once diagnosed, we can manage your sleep-disordered breathing problem so that you and your loved ones can enjoy the benefits of sleep.

Do men snore more than women?

4 out of every 10 men snore compared to roughly 3 out of 10 women.
Some researchers believe that the number of women who snore (or may have sleep apnea) may be understated as women often present with symptoms such as fatigue, insomnia, morning headaches, mood disturbances and weight gain that are not specific to sleep-disordered breathing. Also, women are less likely to be referred for further evaluation and their sleep-disordered breathing problems are frequently misdiagnosed. This is why we evaluate the airway of every patient we see in our office, male and female alike.

My Child Snores, is that normal?

No. If your child snores, be sure to bring this to your dentist's attention so that we can complete a sleep screening examination. The treatment of snoring and other sleep-disordered breathing problems in children have been shown to help with everything from improved school performance to the elimination of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and better growth of the head and neck.

snoring assessment

Can Snoring be dangerous to Health?

While is often considered a mere nuisance, snoring should be taken seriously by patients and their doctors.
At a minimum, snoring can prevent you and your bed partner from enjoying the benefits of wholesome sleep. This includes deep sleep, which is the phase of sleep associated with the body's ability to heal, repair and rejuvenate itself. Beyond causing fatigue, daytime sleepiness and marital discord, untreated snoring has been linked to increased risk of high blood pressure, carotid artery atherosclerosis and stroke. It can also be a sign that you are suffering from Obstructive Sleep Apnea, which is a potentially life-threatening disorder that deprives your body of vital oxygen during sleep.
These are just a few reasons why you should discuss snoring plus any other sleep-related concerns with your dentist at DentalCareXtra, who can use their knowledge, skills and experience to provide the individualized care you need to sleep well and be well.

Why do some people snore more loudly than others?

Body structure and anatomy of the mouth and its surrounding structures cause some people to snore more loudly than others. Also, loud snoring may mean they need treatment more urgently.
I snore, but do not have sleep apnea, do I still need treatment?
Studies have shown that even primary snoring (i.e., snoring without apnea) is linked to carotid artery atherosclerosis, which is a leading cause of stroke. Without an examination, we cannot determine if your snoring requires treatment. However, anyone who snores will benefit by scheduling an appointment for a thorough sleep evaluation that can be performed quickly and easily in our office.

What can NightLase do for me?

NightLase treatment is a patented, fast and leading-edge laser procedure for the treatment of snoring. It is minimally-invasive, simple and an effective way of reducing or eliminating snoring. The NightLase treatment* does not require anaesthesia. It uses laser light to heat the tissue, causing tightening of the tissue which helps keep your airway open. The treatment by NightLase leads to an attenuation of the sound of the patient's snoring and lessening of the effects of sleep apnoea.
NightLase snoring treatment lessens the intensity and duration of snoring. The treatment is spaced over a two-month period, with a minimum of three treatments that take approximately 30 minutes each.

Is oral appliance therapy an effective solution for snoring?

Yes. In fact, the Australian Sleep Association and American Academy of Sleep Medicine state that oral appliance therapy is a good interventional therapy for snoring and mild-to-moderate sleep apnea. Oral appliances move your lower jaw forward and prevent your tongue from falling backwards, keeping your airway open during sleep. To be effective, however, oral appliances must be custom-fit and calibrated to each patient by an experienced dentist.

If I stop smoking, will that help?

Yes. Smoking contributes to congestion of your throat tissues. Smoking also increases acid secretion in your stomach, which can cause acid reflux that can negatively affect throat tissues, obesity, ageing and hormonal factors.

If I stop drinking, will that help?

Yes. Consumption of alcohol, particularly at night, can lead to increased snoring. If you snore, you should avoid alcohol for at least 4 hours before bedtime. This is just one example of a lifestyle change that can enhance your results from treatment in our office.

snoring assessment

What can I do to help mild to occasional snoring?

Anyone who snores will benefit from a consultation with their dentist who has experience in managing sleep-disordered breathing problems. Here are some things you can do to help reduce the intensity of snoring:

  • Sleep on your side; not on your back.
  • Raise the head of your bed upward by approximately 4 inches.
  • Avoid consuming alcoholic beverages for at least 4 hours before bedtime.
  • Avoid consuming heavy meals and snacks for at least 3 hours before bedtime.
  • Adopt a healthy lifestyle, which includes exercise to develop good muscle tone.
  • Lose weight (as few as 5-10 kilograms can make a difference)
  • Establish a regular sleep routine; go to bed and wake up at the same time each day.

Should I consider surgery for snoring?

In the vast majority of cases, the answer is "No." In fact, the American Association of Sleep Medicine recommends that patients who snore try conservative (reversible) treatment options, before undergoing any surgical procedure.

We are happy to provide a second opinion if surgery has been prescribed for you*. We also stand ready to assist patients who have not attained the benefits from surgery they anticipated in getting the care they need to sleep well.

Take our online Assessment today   snoring assessment


~ your smile oasis