Blog

Snoring is one of those bad habits you have but don’t notice because it only seems to impact the people around you. Chronic snoring may be bad enough that you can’t travel out of town on a trip with friends, started sleeping in a separate bedroom, or have grown self-conscious because of your kids picking on you about it.

Identifying the cause behind your snoring can help you find an effective solution to treat it.

Tissues at the Back of Your Throat

One of the most common causes of snoring is enlarged or loose tissues at the back of your throat. Since these tissues vibrate against one another, looser skin or enlarged areas can worsen your snoring habit.

What are some of the causes of loose/relaxed or enlarged tissues? Here are just a few examples:

• Weight gain
• Swollen lymph nodes
• Sinus infections
• Oral infections/tonsillitis
• Alcohol use

Any time your tissues are inflamed or ultra-relaxed (like after drinking an alcoholic beverage) they’re more prone to meet one another and partially restrict your airway. When you breath in and out, the small opening allows for vibrations which then create a noise.

Is My Snoring Caused by Sleep Apnea?

Some types of sleep apnea do cause snoring, but not all of them. Snoring does not necessarily accompany a chronic sleeping disorder. But if you do snore on a frequent basis, it could be a red flag for something like obstructive sleep apnea. However, other warning signs such as fatigue, headaches, weight gain, and difficulty concentrating are other things to look out for.

Dental Treatment for Snoring

There are a few different ways our dental specialist in The Woodlands can help you manage chronic snoring.

One is laser snoring therapy, thanks to FDA approved laser technology. The Nightlase laser treatment process combats snoring immediately at its source: your loose, enlarged oral tissues.

As the laser is applied, it safely and gently helps to shrink those tissues, widening the space that’s between them. Some people see improvement in as quickly as one treatment, while others may want to schedule a few follow-ups before they see full results.

What to Expect During Nightlase Snoring Treatment

Nightlase snoring treatment causes a bit of a warm sensation in the back of your throat, but nothing much more. If your throat is slightly tender afterward, rinsing with a warm saltwater solution can alleviate any mild irritation. But most people feel completely fine afterward.

Nightlase Treatment vs. Snoring Appliances

With Nightlase laser snoring treatment, you’ll physically correct what’s causing snoring. Alternatives like snoring appliances that guide your jaw in a slightly forward position can also help, but they’re more prone to causing a sore jaw and mouth.

Snoring Treatment in Conroe, The Woodlands

Our dental specialist offers a wide variety of dental laser therapies in The Woodlands and Conroe. Nightlase is one of them. If you or your loved one suffers from chronic snoring, request a consultation with us today to find out how we can help.