Quiet the Snoring. Rest Better
Snoring Is More Than an Annoyance
Snoring happens when airflow through the upper airway is partially blocked during sleep. The soft tissues in the throat vibrate as air passes through the narrowed opening, and that vibration is what makes the sound.
For some people, snoring is occasional and mild. For others, it’s loud, frequent, and disruptive to everyone in the household. Either way, it’s worth taking seriously.
Chronic snoring is one of the most common signs of obstructive sleep apnea, a condition where breathing repeatedly stops and starts during sleep. Not everyone who snores has sleep apnea, but the overlap is significant enough that snoring should never just be dismissed.
What Dr. Holt Can Do
Dr. Holt specializes in oral appliance therapy for snoring and sleep-related breathing issues. If a sleep physician has already evaluated you and ruled out sleep apnea (or confirmed it), Dr. Holt can work with that diagnosis to fit you with a custom oral appliance designed to keep your airway open while you sleep.
If you haven’t been evaluated yet and snoring is your main concern, Dr. Holt can help coordinate the right next step with a sleep specialist. You don’t have to figure out the path on your own.
How Oral Appliance Therapy Works for Snoring
A custom oral appliance fits over your teeth, similar to a mouthguard. It gently repositions the lower jaw and tongue to hold the airway open during sleep. When the airway stays open, the tissue vibration that causes snoring is reduced or eliminated.
The appliance is:
- Custom-fitted to your bite, not an off-the-shelf device
- Comfortable enough to wear consistently
- Easy to travel with
- A good fit for people who find CPAP difficult to tolerate
Is Snoring Always Sleep Apnea?
No. Some people snore without having sleep apnea. But because the two are closely connected, a proper evaluation from a sleep physician is the only way to know for certain. Dr. Holt treats the breathing problem. Diagnosis comes from a sleep medicine specialist, usually following a sleep study.
If you’ve already been diagnosed with sleep apnea, the Oral Appliance Therapy and CPAP Alternatives pages cover what treatment looks like in more detail.
Ready to Sleep Quietly?
Snoring is common. It doesn’t have to be permanent. Schedule a consultation with Dr. Holt to talk through your symptoms and find out whether oral appliance therapy is a good fit for you.
