What causes snoring?
Snoring occurs when floppy tissue in the airway relaxes during sleep and vibrates.
Most snoring is caused by an enlarged soft palate and uvula in the back of mouth. By changing low-lying position during the night the lung volume can be minimized because soft tissues like soft palate, tongue throat muscles etc. fall back and impede your airway. This is called obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).
Other patients just get used to snoring. However a small lower jaw or a lower jaw which is too far backwards or an underdeveloped mid-face can lead to snoring. People who sleep on their back and breath through their mouths are most affected. In some cases a blocked stuffy nose or a deviated septum is responsible for the snoring.
How will my snoring be treated?
For the snoring therapy Mandibular Advancement Splints are often used in cases of mild/moderate OSA. A Mandibular Advancement Splint consists of two parts, (an upper and a lower) fitting over the teeth in such a way as to allow the lower jaw (mandible) to be maintained in a forward posture. The forward posture in turn allows for a more forward position of the tongue and an increase in the airway flow behind the tongue. This decreases the vibration of the palate and throat muscles which contribute to snoring.