CAN SNORING BE CURED?

Nearly everyone snores now and then - in fact, over 45% of the UK population. But, for some, snoring can be a chronic problem, sometimes resulting in serious health conditions for the individual, and their partner. We all know the sound of snoring, and how quickly it becomes irritating. So finding out how to stop or prevent it soon becomes a priority for those dealing with the condition daily.

Too often the sufferer, or their other half, aren't aware that their dentist can play a huge role in the treatment of these conditions, and how effective a snoring appliance or Mandibular Advancement Splint (MAS) can be when it comes to preventing snoring.

The purpose of all snoring prevention devices is to pull forward the lower jaw, reducing the pressure on the relaxed airway whilst you breathe, hence limiting the vibrations which cause the harsh snoring sound.

Here at S4S, we offer a range of dental appliances for the treatment of sleep disorders. Our gold standard appliance is the Sleepwell - the most clinically-proven MAS for snoring.

What are the symptoms of snoring, and how can I tell if I'm snoring?

The first and simplest way to know if you’re snoring is to use a partner, family member, or friend to your advantage. They’ll quite simply tell you if you are or aren’t snoring at night.

However, some other common symptoms that follow snoring are:

• Excessive daytime sleepiness
• Difficulty sleeping
• Sore throat upon awakening
• Morning headaches
• Restless sleep

If one or multiple of these apply to you, it may be an indication you’re a snorer. If this becomes excessive, or you want to do something about it, never rule out your dentist, they will offer more help than you think.

By having access to Mandibular Advancement Splints, appliances which have a sole purpose of preventing snoring, dentists may have the perfect solution to your snoring issues.

Which snoring device is the best - The Sleepwell:

The high levels of patient comfort meant that during clinical trials over 98% of patients found the device acceptable.

Exclusive to S4S, the Sleepwell, like all other MAS’s, holds the mandible (lower jaw) in a forward position. However, the Sleepwell differs from alternate snoring appliances, and is often deemed more comfortable. The two-piece device is adjustable and allows full movement of the mandible. Furthermore, you can freely advance the screw yourself (following dentist advice). It’s usually advised to adjust the Sleepwell ½ a turn a week, working out at 0.5mm.

Although tempting, to turn the Sleepwell more than this can cause huge discomfort, because of the rather large change in the position of your jaw. It can become a lot to deal with, within such a small amount of time, resulting in removing the appliance at night .

How do I get a Snoring appliance?

The most effective care is to visit a dentist that offers snoring treatment. They will then perform a small assessment and advise you on treatment from there.

It would be preferable to take someone who is familiar with your sleeping habits, to help fill in any questions they may ask you about your snoring. This way they can understand the severity of your situation and provide you with the best care.

There is more than one appliance that can help your snoring, find out more about the other devices here:

Snoring Appliances