My husband has always been a snorer. For some reason, this year it has taken what I consider a more serious turn. I’ve noticed, sometimes he seems to stop breathing and then will have a loud snore to “recover” if that is the right word. I’ve heard dentists treat snoring. Is there a way to deal with the breathing issue as well? I will admit I have trouble getting him to see any kind of doctor or dentist, so this may be tricky.
Karyn
Dear Karyn,
His snoring and breathing problems are related. What your husband is experiencing is known as obstructive sleep apnea. This is an issue with the muscles in the back of his throat. Some dentists treat this with a CPAP, but there are more comfortable alternatives. I’d like you to look for a dentist who offers a mandibular advancement appliance.
Don’t put off getting this looked at. Untreated sleep apnea can lead to severe health consequences. Sometimes men will put off any kind of medical care, especially preventative. One way you may help him see the benefits of seeing a dentist regularly is the money savings.
How Preventative Care can Save You Money
Sometimes patients put off dental care thinking they’re saving money. Often, they’re just racking up extra cost without realizing it. For instance, if you get regular cleanings and checkups, not only does that help prevent cavities, but even if decay still happens, it is caught at a much earlier stage.
A small filling costs significantly less than waiting until you’re in pain and then need a root canal treatment and dental crown. A dental crown will cost less than a tooth extraction and replacement. So really, by simply going in to see his dentist on a regular basis he could save thousands of dollars.
This blog is brought to you by Libertyville, IL Dentist Dr. David Potts.