My husband snores all the time. A friend mentioned that our dentist can help with that. I've never heard my dentist even mention snoring before in any of our appointments. Does it have something to do with the shape of his teeth?
Martha
Dear Martha,
It doesn't actually have anything to do with his teeth, but more to do with the muscles in the back of his throat. If it is too relaxed, his tongue will partially block his breathing passage, causing vibrations. This is what leads to him snoring.
In some cases the tongue can completely block the breathing passage, which leads to obstructive sleep apnea. This can be very bad for his health because of the stress on his body. Doctors often recommend a CPAP, but those can be quite bulky. Some patients call it their Darth Vader mask.
Dentists can provide your husband with something different — an appliance that is about the size of a sports' mouthguard. This will shift the position of the muscles and move things forward a bit, which will clear his passageway.
I would start with that. If your dentist does not treat sleep apnea, there is nothing wrong with going to a dentist who does for this specific treatment. You don't necessarily have to completely switch dentists, just get the treatment he needs for this particular condition.
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Disclaimer: This article is general information from Dr. Harveer Kaur and is not a substitute for a dental exam, diagnosis, or treatment. Every mouth is different. If you have a concern about your teeth or gums, call our Ahwatukee office at (480) 283-0733 or our Chandler office at (480) 895-3252 and we will help you sort it out.
Dr. Harveer Kaur, DDS, BDS
Dr. Kaur is the founder of Kokopelli Dentistry, serving patients in Ahwatukee and Chandler, Arizona. She focuses on family and cosmetic dentistry.
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