Snoring & Oral Appliances
There is no such thing as “benign” snoring!
“Second hand” snoring is a real pain with consequences.

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    SNORING

    If your airway is constricted you have to breathe in harder. This makes the air move faster. Like a flag flapping in a strong wind, the soft tissues of your throat and soft palate vibrate resulting in snoring. Snoring is more than just noise, it warns us that there is a problem with our breathing.

    Snoring is associated with:

    • High blood pressure
    • Increased risk of stroke
    • Tiredness and irritability
    • Unhappy bed partners
    • Couples sleeping apart
    • Loss of intimacy
    • Ruined Vacations
    • Problems during pregnancy and after giving birth
    • Poor performance and behavior issues at school and work
    • OBSTRUCTIVE SLEEP APNEA (OSA)

    Please be aware that snoring in children can be more serious than sleep apnea. If children can't get enough oxygen their brains don't develop properly! They may not be able to reach their full potential and their IQs may be lower than they could have been.

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    OBSTRUCTIVE SLEEP APNEA

    The definition of OSA is when your airway is blocked to the point where your airflow is reduced by 70% to 80% of normal and the amount of oxygen in your blood is reduced by 3% or 4%.

    OSA is related to all the consequences of snoring and:

    • Heart disease
    • Heart attack
    • Irregular heart beat
    • Weight gain
    • Diabetes
    • Metabolic syndrome
    • Kidney disease
    • Stroke
    • Depression and anxiety
    • Excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS)
    • Memory problems
    • "Brain fog"
    • Loss of sexual desire (both men and women)
    • Erectile dysfunction
    • Car crashes
    • Accidents at work or home
    • Insomnia
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    SLEEP RELATED BREATHING DISORDERS (SRBD) AND THEIR IMPACT ON PREGNANCY and PREGNANCY OUTCOMES

    Among obese women, the percentage of OSA can be as high as 15% to 20%. The percentage can be even higher as the woman's BMI (body mass index) increses. This is also true if the woman has a chronic disease(s) such as asthma, high blood pressure, or diabetes.

    In an article by Dr Steve Lamberg regarding the effects of SRBD on pregnancy and the baby may include:

    Mother

    • hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP)
    • preeclamplsia
    • eclampsia
    • post partum bleeding
    • blood clots
    • gestational diabetes
    • chorioamniontitis
    • respiratory problems
    • cesarian deliveries
    • and DEATH

    Baby

    • premature births
    • fetal growth restrictions (FGR) or small babies raises the risks of higher morbidity (illness) and mortality (death)
    • and potentially, to various other developmental and health issues which can continue throughout the life of the child

    If you have a personal concern about SRBD call your medical doctor medical doctor.

    Click here to read Dr. Lamberg's full article.

Oral Appliances
can help.
Oral Appliances are devices used to treat a MEDICAL condition. They are considered Durable Medical Equipment (DME) and require a prescription from a medical doctor.
TAKE A FREE RISK SELF ASSESSMENT
How Oral Appliances Work
Oral appliances hold the lower jaw forward; this bring the tongue away from the back of the throat. Also, muscle tone in the tongue, palate, uvula, and muscles that form the walls of the throat are improved, making the throat less collapsible.

Below are views of a compromised airway and one with an oral appliance solution in place. 

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    BLOCKED AIRWAY

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    AIRWAY OPENED WITH APPLIANCE

Over the Counter “Boil & Bite” appliances vs. custom fit appliance?

“Boil and bite” appliances purchased in a store or on the internet may help a small number of people for a short time. They may be useful as an interim appliance temporarily when a custom appliance needs to be sent to the laboratory for adjustment or repair. They tend to not stay in the mouth very well and are not made as strong as custom appliances. They can also cause problems with chewing and pain in muscles and joints.

In a research study, over the counter appliances have been shown to be less comfortable and less effective than custom appliances. If they don’t work well a person may feel discouraged and believe that all oral appliances are no good. This would be a disservice to people who are really suffering and really may need this valuable treatment option.