Roughly 25% of adults snore regularly, and around half of habitual snorers have obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Untreated OSA quietly raises your risk of high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke and type-2 diabetes — which is why snoring is worth taking seriously, even if you feel rested.
Why You Snore
Snoring happens when the soft tissues in the back of your throat relax and vibrate as air passes through a narrowed airway. Common contributors include sleeping on your back, alcohol before bed, nasal congestion, extra weight around the neck, and a naturally small jaw or recessed chin.
Red Flags That Suggest Sleep Apnea
- Witnessed pauses in breathing
- Gasping or choking awake at night
- Daytime fatigue despite a full night in bed
- Morning headaches
- Difficulty concentrating
- High blood pressure with no clear cause
Your Treatment Options
1. Home Sleep Study
Confirming sleep apnea requires a sleep test. A home sleep study is covered by most insurance and avoids an overnight at a lab.
2. CPAP Machine
The traditional gold standard. Highly effective, but many patients struggle to tolerate the mask long-term.
3. Oral Appliance Therapy (What We Do)
A small custom-fit device — like a sports retainer — that holds your lower jaw slightly forward, keeping the airway open. It's portable, silent, and the option most patients actually wear every night. For mild-to-moderate OSA and snoring, it's recommended by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine alongside CPAP.
Lifestyle Changes That Help Tonight
- Sleep on your side, not your back
- Skip alcohol within 3 hours of bed
- Treat nasal allergies and congestion
- Lose 5–10% of body weight if overweight
- Maintain a consistent sleep schedule
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a dentist treat sleep apnea?
Yes — for mild to moderate obstructive sleep apnea, dentists trained in dental sleep medicine fabricate FDA-cleared oral appliances. We coordinate with your physician for diagnosis and follow-up.
Does insurance cover an oral appliance for sleep apnea?
Most medical plans (not dental) cover oral appliance therapy when sleep apnea is confirmed by a sleep study. We help you submit the medical claim.
Is snoring without sleep apnea worth treating?
If it's affecting your relationship or sleep quality, absolutely. The same custom appliance that treats mild apnea also works for primary snoring.
How long does an oral appliance last?
A well-made custom appliance typically lasts 3–7 years with proper cleaning and storage.