Better breathing starts here. Snoring can come from the soft tissue at the back of your mouth, the shape of your airway, or how you breathe at night, and it isn’t always simple. At Forest Springs Dentistry in Dripping Springs, Dr. Reddy works out what is causing yours and finds the right solution for you.
What is snoring, and when is it sleep apnea?
Snoring is the sound of air squeezing past relaxed or crowded tissue in the throat. On its own it can be just noise, but it can also be a sign of obstructive sleep apnea, where the airway narrows or closes again and again during sleep and breathing stops for seconds at a time. Sleep apnea strains the heart and leaves you tired however long you sleep. Only a physician can diagnose it, and we’ll help you get there.
One of the biggest contributors to snoring is the soft palate, the soft tissue at the back of your mouth. But snoring isn’t always that simple, and several factors can contribute. Let’s figure out what is causing yours.
Why a dentist looks at your airway
Airway-focused dentistry is a growing field that puts your ability to breathe first, using both modern and traditional dental tools. Dr. Reddy checks the back of the throat in every dental exam, and he sees strong links between dental problems and how well a patient breathes. Worn teeth, clenching, and jaw pain can all be signs that the body is working hard to keep the airway open at night.
Signs your sleep and breathing are worth a look
- Loud or regular snoring
- Waking up tired, or feeling drowsy during the day
- Trouble concentrating
- Morning headaches, jaw pain, or clenching and grinding
- Forward head posture and neck or back tension
- Mouth breathing, in children or adults
Better breathing at night can mean deeper sleep, more energy and focus during the day, and a better mood. Poor sleep is also linked with high blood pressure and heart health, which is why we treat the airway as part of whole-body health, not just a dental issue.
Your sleep journey at Forest Springs Dentistry
1. Set your goal
Dr. Reddy starts by listening. Some patients want to stop snoring; others are dealing with sleep apnea, high blood pressure, ringing in the ears, or jaw problems. Once he understands what you want to improve, he plans around it.
2. Home sleep screening
We screen for sleep apnea with a SleepImage ring that measures your blood oxygen while you sleep at home. Dr. Reddy always recommends seeing your physician for an in-lab sleep study, and the ring is a convenient way to track your progress along the way.
3. 3D imaging and photos
Sleep-disordered breathing is usually caused by an obstruction somewhere in the airway. 3D (CBCT) imaging and photographs help find where it is, which is the key to choosing a treatment that will work.
4. Review your report
Dr. Reddy works with physicians, orthodontists, radiologists, myofunctional therapists, and other specialists, and puts together a report that shows you your airway clearly. Then he walks you through the options for what you want to fix.
Treatment options
Depending on what the screening shows, treatment can include laser tightening of the soft palate, tongue-tie release, or orthodontic treatment that widens the palate. Sleep apnea is a medical diagnosis, so we coordinate with your physician on anything beyond snoring.
Where the soft palate is the main contributor, our advanced laser technology is designed to help tighten that tissue in as little as 15 minutes, with no shots, no numbing, and minimal discomfort. It is one option among several, not the answer for everyone.
Why snoring care is different at Forest Springs Dentistry
Your airway is part of every exam
Dr. Reddy checks the back of the throat at every dental visit, so the signs of a breathing problem are caught early, often years before anyone thinks of a sleep study.
Screening from your own bed
A SleepImage ring measures your blood oxygen overnight at home, with no wires and no night in a lab, and lets us track your progress as treatment goes on.
3D imaging to find the obstruction
CBCT imaging shows where in the airway the narrowing is, which is what decides the treatment that will actually work.
A team around you
Dr. Reddy works with physicians, orthodontists, radiologists, and myofunctional therapists, and brings their findings together into one plan you can understand.
Frequently asked questions about snoring
Is snoring dangerous?
Not always, but it’s worth checking. Loud, regular snoring, especially with pauses in breathing, gasping, or daytime tiredness, can be a sign of sleep apnea, which is linked to high blood pressure and heart problems.
Can a dentist diagnose sleep apnea?
No. Sleep apnea is a medical diagnosis made by a physician. We screen for the signs, show you what we find, and work with your doctor on diagnosis and treatment.
How does the home sleep screening work?
You wear a SleepImage ring on your finger while you sleep at home. It records your blood oxygen and sleep data overnight, and we review the report with you.
Do you see children who snore?
Yes. Snoring and mouth breathing in children are worth looking at early, while the jaws are still growing. We see patients from age 4.
Snoring and sleep apnea care in Dripping Springs
Let’s figure out what is causing your snoring and find the right solution for you. We see patients from age 4 to 90.