Sleep disorders cause all sorts of problems, and they are more common than most people realize. Dr. Jennifer J. Cornell, DDS, at Dental Sleep and TMJ Solutions of Clarksville, has answers to some of the questions that come up about the conditions preventing you from getting a good night’s sleep.

Question: Should I be worried about my wife’s snoring?

Answer: That depends a bit on how she’s snoring and what other symptoms (if any) are present. Snoring in the presence of other symptoms should never be considered benign. Although snoring is seen as common and can be harmless, it can also point to underlying issues like sleep apnea, which is worth looking into.

Here are a few signs that her snoring might be something to be concerned about:

  • Red flags:
  • Loud, chronic snoring that happens most nights
  • Pauses in breathing during sleep (you might hear gasping or choking sounds)
  • Daytime sleepiness or fatigue, even after a full night of sleep
  • Morning headaches
  • Mood changes, irritability, or trouble concentrating
  • High blood pressure

If it’s just a bit of snoring without other symptoms, it could be due to:

  • Sleeping on her back
  • Nasal congestion or allergies
  • Alcohol before bed
  • Weight gain

What you can do now:

  • Try encouraging side-sleeping
  • Avoid alcohol close to bedtime
  • Keep the air in the bedroom humidified
  • Use nasal strips if it’s congestion-related or consider allergy testing

But if any of the red flags apply, it’s definitely worth seeing a doctor or doing a sleep study. Sleep apnea can increase risk for things like heart disease and stroke, and it often goes undiagnosed.
If the snoring is not related to sleep apnea an oral appliance is a great option for treatment.

At Dental Sleep & TMD Solutions of Clarksville we can help with fabrication, fit and adjustment of custom oral appliances to treat truly benign snoring as well as snoring relate to sleep apnea. Other options would include allergy testing, referral to an ENT and there is evidence that palatal laser treatments can temporarily improve snoring. It is important to get to the source of the snoring for everyone’s sake, so that the person snoring, as well as those affected by the noise, can get a good night’s rest!

For more information, visit the Dental Sleep and TMJ Solutions of Clarksville website or call 931-645-8000.