Do you snore? Or do you sleep next to someone who does? You’re not alone — millions of people snore, and it's a common problem that can affect anyone, even animals. (Ever heard your dog snore?)
Snoring happens when the airway in your nose, mouth, or throat narrows and produces a vibrating sound. It may be funny at first, but it’s a problem that disrupts your sleep quality and should be taken seriously.
Fortunately, OK Tooth in Midtown Manhattan, New York, offers a solution: the mandibular advancement device (MAD). Here, we explain how it can help you sleep.
Snoring affects not only the snorer, but also their bed partner. It’s difficult to get a good night's rest when the sound of loud snoring jolts you awake all night. Over time, you feel irritable, fatigued, and even resentment toward your partner.
Sleep deprivation also tanks your health. Disrupted, inadequate sleep can lead to decreased concentration, daytime sleepiness, a weakened immune system, and an increase in your risk of heart disease, stroke, and Type 2 diabetes.
If you or your bed partner experience sleep-disrupting snoring regularly, it may be time to seek medical and/or dental advice. While occasional snoring is normal, frequent snoring can be a sign of an underlying issue. A doctor can determine the cause of your snoring and recommend the best treatment options, which often means MAD.
Before we dive into how MAD can help you, let's discuss the two types of snoring: primary snoring and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).
Primary snoring is the most common type and can occur due to factors like obesity, alcohol use, allergies, and anatomy. OSA is more severe and potentially life-threatening because it involves complete airway blockage during sleep.
Harmless snoring occurs once in a while and doesn’t stop your breathing. Sleep apnea causes repeated pauses in your breathing that can last several seconds, decreasing your oxygen to dangerously low levels.
When you suffer from sleep apnea, your brain responds to the drop in blood oxygen levels by triggering a reflex that wakes you up so you can breathe again. Once you resume breathing, your brain tries to restart your sleep cycle.
The number of interruptions in your sleep cycle depends on the severity of your sleep apnea. Your apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) — the average number of apnea or hypopnea events you have per hour — indicates the severity of your sleep apnea. These are the three levels of severity:
An AHI ranging from 5-15 means you experience between 5 and 15 apnea or hypopnea events hourly. You may not need treatment if you don't have any other symptoms.
We consider your sleep apnea moderate if you have 15-29 events per hour. However, even if you sleep eight hours, that means you could stop breathing and/or wake up between 120 and 239 times
Severe sleep apnea causes you to wake up 30 or more times within an hour, and you could stop breathing more than 240 times during an entire night's sleep.
A mandibular advancement device is a custom-fitted oral appliance that repositions your jaw and tongue to keep your airway open during sleep. A clear airway makes breathing easier and reduces the frequency and volume of snoring.
Both the snorer and their bed partner can benefit from MAD by getting a better night's rest. At OK Tooth, we offer a custom-made MAD specifically designed for your mouth. Our expert team fits the device to your specifications, ensuring maximum comfort and effectiveness.
You'll be able to sleep better knowing that your snoring won't disturb your partner's sleep anymore, and you’ll slumber more soundly, too.
Don’t stumble through life groggy and fatigued; solve your snoring with MAD. Whether you have occasional obnoxious snoring or sleep apnea, MAD can stop the madness. Contact us online or call 212-574-4650 to schedule an appointment with our MAD specialists at OK Tooth. Let us help you get a restful sleep.
