Snoring is a condition that people find irritating but never take seriously. At times it is annoying to someone sleeping next to you. Although it is mainly caused by sleep apnea, it can also be due to several reasons.
Knowing the root cause of your snoring is the first step to dealing with it. Many people who snore have never been bothered by it since they are not on the receiving end. While your partner might find it irritating, chances are, they will also not think about it.
Studies show that dental issues can cause snoring. Figuring them out would help you fix them and ensure you sleep well. Here are some of the dental issues that might be causing your snoring.
Wisdom Teeth
One of the surprising reasons why you might be snoring might be your wisdom teeth. If you have a small mouth, then the growth of your wisdom teeth might lead to your mouth being congested.
Food and bacteria will build up at the back of your mouth and cause pericoronitis whenever you eat. The infection leads to you sleeping with your mouth open, thus end up snoring. Growing out your wisdom teeth can also lead to your gums rupturing and swelling, which leads to bacteria buildup after a while.
Talking to a dentist is the best option whenever you feel like your wisdom teeth are making you uncomfortable. In severe cases, the teeth will be removed, which will reduce the swelling and, in turn, reduce the snoring.
Bruxism or Teeth Grinding
Another dental reason why you might be snoring is bruxism. This is when you subconsciously grind your teeth in your sleep. People grind their teeth for different reasons, with the major one being stress.
If you realize that you wake up every morning with a tired jaw, then chances are you grind your teeth in your sleep. If that is the case, then snoring should be the least of your worries.
Teeth grinding can lead to the crown of your teeth being ground down entirely, which can cause many problems. Your dentist might recommend a mouthguard. It has to stay in while you sleep, which will reduce your teeth grinding and prevent snoring.
Temporomandibular Disorder (TMD)
Your temporomandibular joint (TMJ) links your jaw to your skull. It helps you chew and talk. TMD can be caused by a myriad of reasons like arthritis, trauma, stress, and tension. In such scenarios, you will experience swelling, discomfort, and snoring.
The snoring occurs because your jaw shifts. As you sleep, your tongue gets pushed further in the mouth and obstructs your airways. One of the ways to tell if you might have TMD is waking up with pain on the side of your jaw.
The only issue with self-diagnosis is, it might be bruxism. Seeing an orthodontist is the best way to figure out if this is the case with you. They are better equipped to figure out the cause of your TMD and know how to deal with it.
Tongue and Jaw Obstruction
If you suffer from obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), you will snore. Your tongue and jaw prevent air from getting into your lungs and, in turn, cause snoring.
Most patients with OSA have their airways either partially or entirely closed up when they sleep. In severe cases, they stop breathing for some part of the night and might wake up with a body jerk.
If you experience this condition, the snoring dentist will prescribe a mandibular advancement device (MAD). It will keep the airways open at all times. It pushes the tongue forward and relaxes your jaw to ensure you do not have obstructed airways. Although many people have accepted that snoring is a part of their daily lives, that should not be the case. If you notice that you excessively snore, making it difficult for you to fall asleep, you should see a doctor. They might have a solution to your snoring. By treating the underlying issue, you can solve your snoring problem for good. Visit your doctor or a snoring dentist if you feel like an underlying issue might cause the snoring.