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Do You Know Why You Snore? | Rancho Santa Margarita Dentist

Everyone wants a good night’s sleep. Not only is being tired a reason for a bad day, but if it is becoming commonplace, it may be a result of bigger issues. Because nothing feels better than waking up completely refreshed and ready to start the day. If you snore, getting a good night’s sleep isn’t as easy as just closing your eyes. Even worse, if you have a loved one that snores, and it affects your sleep, this may become cause for contention in the morning hours. While snoring doesn’t seem to be a tremendous cause for concern, understanding why you snore can help figure out the best way to treat it. Let’s take a look at possible reasons you may be snoring at night:

Obesity. One of the main causes for snoring could be a weight issue. When carrying around extra weight, the excess weight is putting pressure on your neck and causing an obstruction to your air flow while you sleep, causing you to snore. Losing some of the extra weight will help alleviate this issue.

Allergies. Because the typical medication for allergies is an antihistamine, and it relaxes the muscles in your throat, many allergy sufferers start to snore due to the blocked airway from the relaxed muscles.

Alcohol and sleeping pills. Similar to the allergy sufferers, because alcohol and sleeping pills relax your muscles, taking these before bedtime may cause you to snore.

Anatomy. Sometimes there isn’t anything you can do about your snoring habits – it’s just part of your anatomy. Issues like a deviated septum, enlarged tonsils or even a broken nose can block the air passages needed to breathe freely as you sleep.

If you would like more information on snoring, call Dr. Greg J. Herd in Rancho Santa Margarita, CA at 949-858-5147 or visit www.gregherddds.com.

Dr. Herd proudly serves Rancho Santa Margarita and all surrounding areas.

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Improve Your Sleep with a Snore Guard | Rancho Santa Margarita Dentist

If you are having trouble sleeping, it is important that you see if you’ve developed a sleep disorder. Unfortunately, you aren’t going to be the only one having an issue with sleeping – most people don’t know they have an issue until they are told by a loved one sleeping close by. And if this happens to be the case, you will be prescribed a snore guard in order to get a better night’s sleep. Unfortunately, snore guards are generally quite bulky, and it may be the bulkiness of the snore guard that bothers you and your gag reflex.

For those that don’t know, a snore guard is a mouthpiece that is custom fitted to your mouth to help a myriad of dental problems and relieve the systems of TMJ or bruxism. As you become used to your new snore guard, follow the following instructions:

  • Ask your dentist to start out with a thin night guard that will be easier to get used to.
  • Have your family dentist fabricate both an upper and lower snore guard to see which one you find more comfortable. Find which is more comfortable and get a thicker one fabricated after you adjust to its feeling.
  • Put your snore guard in right before you go to bed to lessen the chances that you’ll find it bothersome.
  • Take at least 30 days to get used to the snore guard and create a habit.

Be aware that snore guards are an aid for bruxism, but you will need to find out why you are grinding or clenching your teeth and make changes. Wearing a snore guard won’t do anything but protect your teeth from harm.

If you would like more information about snore guards, call Dr. Greg J. Herd in Rancho Santa Margarita, CA at 949-858-5147 or visit www.gregherddds.com.

Dr. Herd proudly serves Rancho Santa Margarita and all surrounding areas.