When you breathe normally, air passes through the nose and past the flexible tissues in the back of the throat, including the soft palate, uvula, and tongue. Muscles hold your air passageway open when you're awake. During sleep, these muscles relax, and the lower jaw can move back slightly.
Snoring occurs when soft tissues of the upper airway collapse onto themselves and vibrate against each other as air attempts to move through them. This produces the sound we know as snoring. Large tonsils, a long soft palate, a large tongue, the uvula, and excess fat deposits in the throat contribute to airway narrowing and snoring. Usually, the more narrow the air passageway, the louder or more habitual the snoring.
Over 40% of adults experience snoring. While snoring may seem like a mere annoyance, it can result in excessive daytime sleepiness, relationship issues, and may be an indication of a more serious condition known as obstructive sleep apnea.
If you're tired of snoring and want to learn if you have a more serious condition, call today to schedule a consultation with Dr. Kitzmiller. Our Milford dental office services Milford/Loveland and the Greater Cincinnati area with personalized care for healthy living. |
