What is snoring?

Snoring and sleepiness affect over a third of the population, often causing significant health problems and reducing quality of life.

Snoring can greatly disrupt the quality of sleep, resulting in excessive daytime sleepiness. Snoring can also disturb the sleep of those nearby, leading to great frustration and placing a strain on relationships.

Snoring has been identified as a risk factor for hypertension (high blood pressure), heart disease and stroke and other serious medical conditions.

                           

Normal Breathing

When you breathe normally, air passes through the nose/mouth and past the flexible structures at the back of the throat such as the soft palate, uvula and tongue. While you are awake, muscles hold your airway open. When you fall asleep, these muscles relax but, normally, the airway stays open.

Snoring

Snoring is the sound of obstructed breathing during sleep - the soft tissues at the back of the throat vibrate as the muscles are relaxed and the airway becomes blocked.

Snoring is a big indicator for the presence of obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA).

Can snoring be treated?

The good news is that snoring can be easily and effectively treated with a mandibular advancement splint (MAS). In fact, studies show that a large proportion of snorers who wear a custom-made MAS show significant improvement in snoring.