Snoring is a common problem that affects millions of people and can disrupt both your sleep and your partner’s. While occasional snoring may be harmless, chronic snoring can signal underlying issues and negatively impact sleep quality. Many people ask, “What’s the best treatment for snoring?” The answer depends on what’s causing it, but several effective options are available.
Why Snoring Happens
Snoring occurs when airflow is partially blocked as you breathe during sleep. This blockage causes the soft tissues in the throat, tongue, or nasal passages to vibrate, creating the snoring sound. Common contributors include sleeping position, nasal congestion, excess weight, alcohol use before bed, and structural issues in the mouth or airway.
Lifestyle Changes: The First Line of Defense
For mild snoring, simple lifestyle adjustments may help. Sleeping on your side instead of your back can prevent the tongue from collapsing into the airway. Avoiding alcohol close to bedtime reduces throat muscle relaxation, which can worsen snoring. Maintaining a healthy weight may also decrease fatty tissue around the neck that narrows the airway.
Treating Nasal Obstruction
If snoring is related to nasal congestion or blockage, treatments like saline sprays, nasal strips, or allergy management may improve airflow. These solutions work best when snoring originates in the nose rather than deeper in the throat.
Oral Appliance Therapy
One of the most effective treatments for chronic snoring—especially when it originates in the mouth or throat—is a custom oral appliance fitted by a dentist. These devices gently reposition the lower jaw and tongue forward during sleep, keeping the airway open. Oral appliances are comfortable, portable, non-invasive, and often preferred over bulkier solutions. They are particularly effective for patients who snore due to airway collapse or mild sleep-disordered breathing.
When Snoring Signals Sleep Apnea
Loud, frequent snoring combined with choking sounds, gasping, or excessive daytime fatigue may indicate obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), a serious medical condition. In these cases, a sleep study is essential. Treatment may include CPAP therapy, oral appliances, or other medical interventions depending on severity.
Surgical Options
Surgery is typically reserved for severe cases or structural abnormalities that don’t respond to conservative treatments. Procedures may involve the soft palate, nasal passages, or jaw structure. Surgery is not usually the first choice due to cost, recovery time, and variable success rates.
So, What’s the Best Treatment?
There is no one-size-fits-all answer. For many people, custom oral appliances combined with lifestyle changes offer the best balance of effectiveness and comfort. A proper evaluation is key to identifying the cause of snoring and choosing the right solution.
Snoring isn’t just a nighttime nuisance; it can affect health and relationships. With today’s range of treatments, effective relief is possible. A professional evaluation is the first step toward quieter, healthier sleep.
About the Author
Dr. John Jared Waite earned his Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from Baylor College of Dentistry in Dallas in 2004. To date, he has completed several courses focused on cosmetic dentistry, sleep apnea treatment, and more. He is a Diplomate of the American Board of Dental Sleep Medicine and one of the few dentists in Colorado Springs who has received training in biomimetic dentistry. If you’re struggling with sleep apnea, let us help you restore your precious rest. Schedule an appointment online or call (719) 282-3400.