Okay, so it is the joke in many households, my wife or husband snores and I can't get any sleep. But what causes snoring and can anything be done about it? And does it have any effect on your teeth?

Snoring is caused when your airway is partially obstructed as you sleep. When you breathe in, the air vibrates the soft tissues of the throat. If your airway is obstructed this vibration makes noise. The more of an obstruction, the louder the snoring noise. So, can you do anything about it and does it harm your dental health at all?

What is the Consequence of Snoring on Your Oral Health?

Snoring is very common and is potentially caused by a number of factors. If you smoke, drink alcohol, take sedatives or have nasal problems you could start generating some snores at night.

You may also be anatomically predisposed to snoring if you were born with a narrow airway. Men are more likely to snore than women, though women are not immune.

The effect it has on your oral health is directly related to the fact that when you snore you are breathing with your mouth open. This causes your mouth to get dry and decreases the amount of saliva that is produced.

The decrease in saliva production allows harmful bacteria to grow more quickly because saliva "washes" your mouth. It can lead to more mouth infections or sores and it can also cause tooth decay and gum disease. In addition, it can cause halitosis, commonly known as bad breath.

If you have a problem with snoring, you should contact our office. He may recommend a different oral hygiene regimen that can take into account the additional risk factors that snoring creates.