Snoring is a common issue that affects many couples and can disrupt both the snorer’s and their partner’s sleep. At our Urbandale dental office, we help patients understand the real causes of snoring and how it may be connected to underlying airway and oral health concerns. For women and men alike, snoring is more than just a nighttime nuisance—it can be a sign of a larger health issue that deserves attention. By identifying and addressing the source of the problem, we help patients improve sleep quality, overall well-being, and relationship harmony.

Understanding Snoring

Snoring isn’t just a harmless nighttime noise. In many cases, it’s the most common sign of sleep apnea—a serious condition where breathing repeatedly stops and starts during sleep. While not everyone who snores has sleep apnea, frequent, loud snoring should never be ignored.

  • Sleep position — Lying on your back can cause the tongue and soft palate to fall backward, narrowing the airway and increasing snoring.
  • Nasal congestion — Allergies, colds, or a deviated septum can make breathing through the nose more difficult at night.
  • Weight around the neck — Extra tissue can place pressure on the airway while you sleep.
  • Alcohol before bed — Alcohol relaxes throat muscles too much, making airway collapse more likely.
  • Natural aging — As we get older, throat muscles lose tone, which can worsen snoring.
  • Circulation concerns — In some cases, snoring may be linked to reduced blood flow in the neck arteries.

Because snoring is so often tied to sleep apnea, paying attention to the frequency and intensity of your snoring is important—especially if it’s paired with daytime fatigue, morning headaches, or restless sleep. These patterns often point to an airway issue that needs attention.

If you’re concerned that your snoring may be more than a nighttime nuisance, our Urbandale dental office provides sleep apnea treatment in Des Moines designed to help you breathe easier and sleep better. With safe, comfortable solutions like custom oral appliances, we can help you get the restorative rest you’ve been missing and improve your long-term health.

Immediate Steps for Snoring Relief

If snoring is disrupting your sleep, small changes like side sleeping, avoiding alcohol before bed, and keeping nasal passages clear may offer short-term relief. However, these steps don’t address the root cause.

The most effective way to truly reduce snoring is with the help of a dentist using oral appliance therapy. A custom oral appliance gently repositions the jaw to keep the airway open throughout the night—providing real relief for both snoring and sleep apnea.

How Oral Appliance Therapy Supports Your Oral Health

Sleep apnea doesn’t just disrupt your breathing—it can have a serious impact on your oral health. Many patients with untreated sleep apnea experience teeth grinding, jaw soreness, dry mouth, and a higher risk of cavities and gum disease. Over time, the strain placed on the jaw and teeth can lead to fractures, worn enamel, bite problems, and the need for restorative dentistry.

This is where preventative dentistry, restorative dentistry, and oral appliance therapy work together. At our Urbandale dental office, we focus on protecting your smile while improving your sleep. A custom oral appliance gently moves the jaw forward to keep the airway open, helping reduce snoring and sleep apnea episodes while also minimizing clenching and grinding that can damage teeth. By improving airflow at night, patients often experience fewer headaches, healthier gums, and less risk of tooth decay caused by dry mouth.

For patients who already need restorative dentistry due to damage from grinding or airway-related strain, oral appliance therapy helps protect those restorations long term. For those focused on prevention, it helps stop damage before it starts. If you’re looking for a comfortable CPAP alternative in Des Moines that supports both better sleep and better oral health, oral appliance therapy offers a powerful, noninvasive solution.

Take Control of Snoring and Improve Your Sleep

Addressing snoring can significantly enhance both sleep quality and overall health. By understanding the causes and implementing effective solutions, you can help your partner achieve a quieter, more restful night. Lawson Dentistry supports you with expert advice and customized treatment options, such as oral appliance therapy.

Don’t let snoring disrupt your life any longer. Contact Lawson Dentistry today at (515) 278-4366 to discover how we can help you and your partner sleep better.