Have you been suffering due to the excessive snoring of your spouse or sleeping neighbor? Snoring is a common issue that affects 24% of the female population and 40% of males. Even 12% of children have this issue. According to the experts, the common cause of snoring is narrow airways that prevent the air from passing through. Nonetheless, you might still want to consult your dentist in Winnipeg since there is a possibility your snoring could be associated with dental issues.
Surprising Dental Causes of Snoring
Snoring is caused by a range of reasons. Nonetheless, there are instances in which problems related to your mouth and teeth will make the matters worse. Your dentist in Winnipeg can help you determine if your snoring is caused by your oral problems.
Wisdom Teeth
Some people will experience a variety of problems once their wisdom teeth erupt. Since there is limited space in their mouth, this will cause misalignment or overcrowding. Usually, the wisdom tooth will emerge in an awkward position in our jaw. There will not be enough room for it to perfectly fit with the rest of our teeth. Therefore, it is not unusual for the wisdom tooth to be in an uncomfortable position… no pun intended.
Patients whose wisdom tooth have partially erupted may experience discomfort, pain, and swelling. During this situation, there will be soft tissues that will cover the teeth. If this flap of tissue is infected and becomes swollen, it may suffer from an infection known as pericoronitis. The symptoms of this issue include tenderness, discomfort, a foul taste in your mouth and snoring. If you have pericoronitis, you will sleep while your mouth is open. Combined with the infection, this may definitely cause snoring. Therefore, you might want to visit your dental clinic in Winnipeg for the purpose of having your wisdom teeth extracted. Delaying wisdom tooth extraction may lead to infections.
TMJ (Temporomandibular Joint) Disorder
Our TMJ is situated at the side of the face where the lower jaw and the ear meets. It should have a proper structure to ensure that the teeth are correctly aligned. People who are suffering from TMJ syndrome may clench or grind their teeth while sleeping. Thus, it will not be uncommon for them to experience discomfort and a headache when they wake up. The misalignment may also push our lower jaw further to the back of our mouth. Thus, the obstruction caused by TMJ syndrome may lead to snoring.
Jaw and Tongue Obstruction
There are instances when your snoring will be more than a nuisance. It will pose a serious threat to your health. If you have OSA (Obstructive Sleep Apnea), your upper airway can be completely or partially blocked when you are sleeping. Your breathing may stop for a couple of seconds. You will be awakened with a body jerk or a loud gasp. According to your dentist in Winnipeg, there are different factors related to our mouth that may cause OSA such as our jaw and tongue. When a person is asleep, the jaw and the tongue have the tendency to relax backwards. This can block the airways which may lead to snoring and may even aggravate your sleep apnea near you.
One popular method to eliminate your snoring is by wearing a dental appliance. This is a molded device that will hold the lower part of your jaw in its proper position. Additionally, your dentist in Winnipeg can also provide you with additional tips and recommendations that will help you manage your snoring. Contact them immediately if you are concerned about your snoring problems.