Snoring

While you are sleeping, snoring can occur when the soft tissues of your tongue and neck relax, narrowing your airway.

When the airway gets narrowed, and then you try to breathe in, it makes the soft tissue in your throat vibrate, and the noise it makes is snoring.

Snoring is more likely if you sleep on your back and with your mouth open.

Husband Using Pillow To Cover Ears Due To Wife's Snoring
Depositphotos_219035320_ds

Anything that narrows your airway can cause snoring, including:

  • Large tonsils
  • An enlarged uvula (the tissue at the back of your throat)
  • A deviated septum (the thin wall between your nostrils is misaligned)
  • Nasal congestion
  • Excess weight
  • Drinking alcohol

While snoring is very annoying for your sleep partner, in most cases is a benign (not serious) issue. However, in about 20% of cases, snoring is a symptom of Obstructive Sleep Apnoea (click here to find out more about Obstructive Sleep Apnoea) which is a medical condition that can have implications for your health.

Can snoring be treated?

Yes! Surgery may be a solution for large tonsils, an enlarged uvula or a deviated septum. Your GP or Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) Specialist can advise you if these options are right for you.

Doctors also often recommend lifestyle changes such as refraining from alcohol and losing weight to help chronic snorers reduce their snoring.

Another option can be a SomnoMed® oral appliance. The oral appliance will bring your bottom jaw forward, opening up the airway so that it doesn’t vibrate anymore. For more information about SomnoMed® oral appliances, click below to view our products.

View products
Dentist Talking To Patient

Patient stories

Michael’s story 

“I have been using my Somnomed® device for about two years now. It has completely improved the quality of sleep that I get and consequently certain aspects of my life for the better.

On the rare occasion that I forget to put it in the device my sleep deteriorates immediately. It’s invaluable.” Read more

Liz’s story

“Having suffered jaw and tooth pain over several months and following several appointments with my GP and regular dentist to no avail, I asked April (dentist) if she could give me a second opinion. After careful consultation April suggested that sleep apnoea and teeth grinding might be behind the issues and recommended a Somnomed® device to wear at night. Read more

Simon’s story

“My name is Simon Wilsdon I am a general dentist in York with a special interest in dental sleep medicine. Over several years I have experienced mild sleep apnoea and, unfortunately for my wife, loud snoring. I have tried several different mandibular advancement devices over the years. These have given initial improvement but nothing long lasting and were uncomfortable over time. After investigating different options, I decided to give the new SomnoMed® Avant™ appliance a try. Read more

Mohammed’s story

Mohammed was diagnosed with Severe Sleep Apnoea in 2018.

“For the first year after my diagnosis, I had a CPAP machine in the home, but I really struggled with it, due to the anxiety of the mask being on my face all night. When I saw my Sleep Consultant, I was advised that I should not drive, and my driving license has now been revoked for more than 2 years. I have a family at home, with four children, so having no driving license has really affected our day-to-day lives. Little things like food shopping and trips out are much more difficult. Read more

Roy’s story

Like many people, l became aware that l was snoring during the night and feeling tired in the morning. This led me down the route of seeing my GP who felt l may have obstructive sleep apnoea and referred me to the hospital for further tests. There, l was given the Epworth Sleep Study questionnaire to complete which indicated l had daytime sleepiness but not severely. However further investigation was necessary and an overnight hospital stay was arranged where l had a sleep study conducted. Read more