Snoring and Sleep Apnea: What’s the Difference?
One of the most common signs of sleep apnea is loud, persistent snoring. However, just because you snore does not necessarily mean you have sleep apnea. Many people snore occasionally due to nasal congestion, allergies, or even their sleep position. Sleep apnea, on the other hand, is a more serious condition where the airway becomes blocked or collapses during sleep, leading to repeated pauses in breathing.
At our office, we look beyond the surface symptoms to determine the true cause of your snoring. As part of our commitment to providing comprehensive dental care in Wilmington, DE, we use advanced evaluations to identify whether your snoring is harmless—or if it’s a warning sign of sleep apnea. If it is, we can recommend personalized treatment such as oral appliance therapy to keep your airway open and help you enjoy healthier, more restful sleep.
Recognizing the Signs of Sleep Apnea
Snoring is often the first symptom people associate with sleep apnea, but it’s not the only sign—and not everyone who snores has sleep apnea. This condition goes beyond occasional noisy sleep, disrupting your breathing patterns and impacting your overall health. At our practice, we provide dental care in Wilmington, DE that includes identifying the difference between simple snoring and more serious sleep apnea. Knowing what to look for can help you seek treatment sooner and improve both your sleep and quality of life.
Snoring Treatment Options From Your Dentist
For years, CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure) was considered the only reliable option, but many patients find it uncomfortable or inconvenient. Dentists can now provide alternatives that are just as effective—and much easier to live with.
Oral Appliance Therapy
We custom-fit oral appliances that reposition the jaw and tongue to keep the airway open during sleep. This prevents tissues from collapsing, reduces or eliminates snoring, and helps you wake feeling refreshed. Patients love that oral appliances are discreet, portable, and more comfortable than CPAP.
Patients appreciate that oral appliances are comfortable, discreet, portable, and easier to maintain than CPAP. With this treatment, you can finally experience the deeper, more restful sleep you’ve been missing—while giving your partner the peace and quiet they deserve.
Lifestyle/Habit Changes for Snoring Treatment
Many of Dr. Goodling’s patients benefit by making behavior modifications before or in addition to oral appliance therapy. Some of the most common behavior changes that reduce symptoms include:
- Lose weight
- Sleep on your side, as this is the best sleep position
- No alcohol or caffeine in the late afternoon or evening
- Choose a better pillow and mattress
- Turn off technology at night
- Keep to a set schedule even on days off from work
- Avoid sugary food and drinks in the evening
- Exercise
You may be amazed to learn that some of these simple changes, combined with oral appliance therapy at night, will help you get the sleep you need to function. There’s nothing worse than a bad night’s sleep when you have a busy day coming. Snoring is disruptive to you and to those who sleep with or near you. While snoring is sometimes joked about, and some people even refuse to admit they snore, it’s likely an indication of a medical condition we can treat: Sleep disorders in Delaware are treatable.
Learn More About Snoring Treatment in Wilmington
Please contact the office, today at (302) 994-0979 or fill out our online contact form. One of our team members will reach out to answer questions about snoring treatment in Wilmington or to schedule a new patient evaluation. If you’ve had a sleep study done, please ensure we get those results so Dr. Goodling can evaluate the findings and think about the right snoring treatment plan.
