Snoring is something you might just learn to live with, especially if it doesn’t wake you up at night. Your sleeping partner, however, may feel differently after losing several nights of precious sleep because of the noise. The problem for many people who snore isn’t that they don’t want to stop, but rather that they don’t know how to stop, or who to see for help. With extensive experience helping people correct the issues behind snoring, your Astoria dentist, Dr. Jeffrey Leibowitz, can help you stop, too, so you and your household can get the rest you need.
Tips to Stop Snoring
What you know as snoring is actually the sound of the walls in your throat vibrating, as well as air being squeezed through a partially-obstructed airway. When you sleep, over-relaxed or abnormal nasal and oral tissues can block your airway, which you can help prevent with one or more of the following tips;
- Sleep on your side—If you sleep on your back, gravity will increase the risk of oral tissues shifting toward the back of your throat and causing you to snore.
- Lose weight—Obesity is a major risk factor for snoring. Even a little extra weight can increase your chances of snoring, though weight isn’t a definitive cause (even skinny people snore).
- Refrain from nightcaps—Drinking alcohol up to four hours before going to bed can cause your oral tissues to over-relax, making you more likely to snore throughout the night.
- Take an antihistamine—Snoring doesn’t always originate in the mouth; runny, stuffy nasal passages can also block your airway. If you suffer from allergies, take an antihistamine before going to bed to reduce inflammation in the sinuses, and the likelihood of it causing you to snore.
- Ask Dr. Leibowitz for help—If simple changes don’t help, then visit Dr. Leibowitz as soon as possible for a thorough evaluation, and possible treatment. In many cases, a custom-designed oral appliance, known as a sleepguard, can help keep your airway open to prevent the collapse of oral tissues and eliminate snoring.
ABOUT YOUR ASTORIA DENTIST:
Dr. Jeffrey Leibowitz, a native New Yorker, has served patients and families from Astoria, Queens, Manhattan, Brooklyn, and all surrounding communities since opening his dental practice in 1991. To schedule an appointment at our Astoria dentist’s office, contact us by calling (718) 728-8320 today.
