Snoring Treatment in Ottawa
Sleep better. Live better.
More Than Just a Nuisance
Snoring isn't just annoying—it can affect your health, your relationships, and your quality of life. If you or your partner is losing sleep due to snoring, BluSky Dental can help with custom oral appliances that reduce or eliminate snoring.
What Causes Snoring?
The Mechanics
When you sleep, throat muscles relax. In some people, this causes:
- Soft palate to collapse partially
- Tongue to fall back
- Airway to narrow
- Air flow creates vibration
- Vibration = snoring sound
The narrower the airway, the louder the snoring.
Risk Factors
Anatomy:
- Thick soft palate
- Enlarged tonsils or adenoids
- Long uvula
- Deviated septum
- Narrow airway
Lifestyle:
- Excess weight (fat around throat)
- Alcohol consumption (relaxes muscles)
- Sedatives or muscle relaxants
- Smoking (irritates airway tissues)
- Sleeping on your back
Health:
- Nasal congestion
- Allergies
- Sleep deprivation
- Age (muscle tone decreases)
Snoring vs. Sleep Apnea
Simple Snoring
- Noisy breathing during sleep
- Continuous airflow (no stopping)
- No significant oxygen drops
- Annoying but not dangerous
Sleep Apnea
- Breathing actually stops (apnea events)
- Oxygen levels drop
- Brain wakes you to restart breathing
- Serious health consequences
The Connection: Snoring is often a sign of sleep apnea. If you snore loudly, a sleep study can determine whether you have sleep apnea.
Signs Your Snoring May Be Serious
Red flags suggesting sleep apnea:
- Witnessed pauses in breathing (partner reports)
- Gasping or choking during sleep
- Excessive daytime sleepiness
- Morning headaches
- Difficulty concentrating
- High blood pressure
- Waking frequently at night
If you have these symptoms, a sleep study is recommended before treatment.
How We Treat Snoring
Oral Appliance Therapy
For many snorers, a custom oral appliance is the solution:
How It Works:
- Custom-fitted device worn during sleep
- Gently moves lower jaw forward
- Opens airway behind tongue
- Reduces or eliminates vibration
Benefits:
- Custom fit for comfort
- Silent (unlike CPAP)
- Easy to travel with
- No electricity needed
- High compliance rates
Ideal For:
- Primary snoring (without apnea)
- Mild-moderate sleep apnea
- Those who can't tolerate CPAP
- Travelers
The Process
- Evaluation – Discuss your snoring and screen for sleep apnea
- Sleep study (if needed) – Determine if apnea is present
- Impressions – Digital or physical molds of your teeth
- Fabrication – Appliance custom-made in lab
- Fitting – Adjustments for comfort and effectiveness
- Follow-up – Ensure it's working
Lifestyle Changes That Help
Weight Management
Even modest weight loss can reduce snoring:
- Fat around neck constricts airway
- 10% weight loss may significantly reduce snoring
- Healthier weight = better sleep
Sleep Position
Sleeping on your back worsens snoring:
- Gravity pulls tissues backward
- Try side-sleeping
- Use positional therapy pillows
- Tennis ball sewn into pajama back (prevents rolling over)
Avoid Alcohol Before Bed
Alcohol relaxes throat muscles excessively:
- Avoid alcohol 3-4 hours before sleep
- Same applies to sedatives
Treat Nasal Congestion
If you're stuffy, you breathe through your mouth:
- Treat allergies
- Use nasal strips
- Consider saline rinse
- Address deviated septum if severe
Quit Smoking
Smoking irritates airway tissues:
- Causes swelling
- Increases mucus
- Worsens snoring
Establish Good Sleep Habits
Sleep deprivation increases snoring:
- Get adequate sleep (7-8 hours)
- Maintain consistent sleep schedule
- Create good sleep environment
When to Seek Help
Definitely seek evaluation if:
- Snoring is loud enough to disturb partner
- You have signs of sleep apnea (see above)
- You wake feeling unrefreshed despite adequate sleep
- You're excessively sleepy during the day
- Lifestyle changes haven't helped
Benefits of Treating Snoring
For You:
- Better sleep quality
- More energy
- Improved concentration
- Better overall health
For Your Partner:
- Undisturbed sleep
- Less frustration
- Improved relationship
- Their health benefits too
For Your Relationship: Many couples sleep separately due to snoring. Treatment can reunite you in the bedroom.
Frequently Asked Questions
If you have sleep apnea (diagnosed by sleep study), many medical insurance plans cover oral appliance therapy. Simple snoring without apnea is typically not covered.
Many patients notice improvement immediately. Fine-tuning may take a few weeks.
After a brief adjustment period (1-2 weeks), most patients find appliances comfortable. They're custom-fitted to your mouth.
Yes. Most appliances allow mouth breathing.
Stop Snoring, Sleep Better
McCarthy Location: Sleep Specialty
Our McCarthy location specializes in dental sleep medicine with experienced staff in oral appliance therapy, comprehensive sleep evaluations, coordination with sleep physicians, and follow-up care.
Ready for Quieter Nights?
Schedule a consultation to discuss your snoring and explore treatment options.
At BluSky we BEElieve in bringing life to your smile. 🐝