If snoring is an issue, we have a solution!

Posted 15th April 2019

Snoring is an issue that affects millions- in fact, statistics show that around 40% of adult males, 25% of adult females and 10% of children habitually snore. If you or your significant other snores regularly you know how irritating it can tend to be, but what many people don’t know is how exactly it can impact your oral health. In this blog, we’re going to go over the main causes of snoring, and outline how exactly it can damage your mouth.

Snoring occurs when a person’s airway is partially blocked whilst sleeping. When snorers are asleep, the muscles in the mouth, tongue and throat relax, and soft tissues in the throat vibrate as air flows past, generating that unmistakable sound. The reason snoring is so prevalent is that there are so many common causes of the issue, but the main causes include:

Anatomical Conditions- some people may have a narrow airway due to a low and thick palate (roof of the mouth), an elongated Uvula (that funny bit of tissue that hangs down at the back of your mouth) or large tonsils. In addition, overweight people tend to have a larger amount of tissue on the back of their throat which could also narrow the airway, causing snoring.
Nasal Issues- chronic nasal congestion can also cause snoring by obstructing the airway.
Alcohol, Smoking and Sedatives- drinking, smoking and taking sedatives all contribute to the relaxation of these throat muscles and decrease the body’s natural defenses against snoring.
In addition to this, other risk factors of snoring include being male, being 40 years of age or older, being pregnant or having a family history of snoring.

Now that we know the main causes of snoring, let’s dive into how it can damage your oral health. When you snore, you unconsciously breathe in more air to compensate for the blocked airway, and this causes Xerostomia, also known as dry mouth. Xerostomia creates a deficit of saliva in the mouth, and saliva is an essential part of your oral ecosystem, coating and moistening the mouth and oral tissues. Saliva cleans your mouth by washing dead cells off of the tongue, gums and cheeks, which if left unchecked due to a dry mouth can decompose and create a strong odour- giving you bad breath and halitosis. Furthermore, saliva protects against harmful bacteria, and a dearth of saliva in the mouth means that oral issues such as tooth decay, gum disease (gingivitis) and infections and sores can spread far easier.

If you’re a heavy snorer and you’re now worried about all of these oral health problems you might be at risk of- don’t! At Strand on the Green Dental Practice, we offer the Sleepwell customised device, full details of which can be found by clicking here.

If you wish to book an appointment with us at Strand on the Green Dental Practice, snoring-related or otherwise, please give us a call on 020 8995 0298 and we will get you in as soon as possible.