[Health Column] Snoring Treatment Methods: Which Should You Choose, a CPAP Machine or an Oral Appliance?

Hello, this is Dr. Lee Jung-ho, Chief Director of Seoul Dia Dental Clinic. 😊

 

"They say he snores every night, but isn't it just because he's tired?" 🤔

This is something I hear very often in the clinic. However, snoring is not just a simple sleep habit; it can be a health signal from our body. It can disturb not only your own health but also the restful sleep of your spouse and family members sleeping beside you.

 

So, if you have decided to treat your snoring, please pay attention to this article. You commonly think that snoring treatment is only possible at an ENT clinic, but actually... It is also possible at the dental clinic. This is because snoring often occurs when oral structures, such as the tongue, lower jaw, and soft palate, narrow and block the airway while asleep.

 

When you actually look for snoring treatments, there is so much information that it is difficult to decide where to start or what is right for you. That is why we have prepared this. We will summarize the representative snoring treatment methods for you at a glance. ✨

 

1️⃣ Where should I start with snoring treatment?

The most fundamental step is correcting your lifestyle habits. It is basic, but the effect is greater than you might think.

The first step in treating snoring is changing your lifestyle.

 

🔸 weight loss
Reducing fat around the neck lessens the pressure on the airway. In many cases, snoring improves noticeably even with a weight loss of just 10%. If you are overweight or obese, losing weight can help improve symptoms of snoring and sleep apnea by reducing pressure around the neck.

 

 

🔸 Sleeping on my side
If you lie on your back, your tongue and lower jaw are prone to falling backward. Simply sleeping on your side helps keep your airway open.

 

🔸 Reduce drinking and sleeping pills
Alcohol and sleeping pills worsen snoring by causing more severe muscle relaxation. Be especially careful about drinking before bed.

 

🔸 Maintain a regular sleep schedule
Irregular sleep patterns can lower the quality of sleep and worsen snoring.

 

📌 However, there are many cases where the problem cannot be solved by lifestyle changes alone.
That is exactly when appliance therapy is needed. Representative examples include CPAP machines and oral appliances for snoring.

 

2️⃣ What kind of treatment is a CPAP machine?

It is currently known as the most standard method for treating sleep apnea.

✨ principle
It is a method of wearing a mask over your nose and mouth while sleeping and continuously blowing air to keep your airway from becoming blocked.

 

 

🔸 merit
It is an effective treatment for improving sleep apnea and can be used even for severe sleep apnea.

 

⚠️ disadvantage
There are inconveniences such as having to wear a mask while sleeping, machine noise, the hassle of carrying it when traveling or on business trips, the time required to get used to it initially, and skin discomfort caused by pressure from the mask.

 

📌 Therefore, there are more people than expected who have been prescribed a CPAP machine but are unable to use it properly.

 

3️⃣ How does an oral appliance for snoring work?

It is a device custom-made at a dental clinic and worn in the mouth while sleeping.

✨ principle
It is a structure that positions the lower jaw slightly forward, helping to secure airway space by reducing the backward sagging of the tongue and surrounding tissues. It is a treatment that utilizes the very principle of the relationship between the jaw and the airway.

 

 

🔸 merit
It is small and convenient to carry, does not require a mask, is noiseless, and is relatively easy to adapt to.

 

⚠️ disadvantage
It is more suitable for mild to moderate sleep apnea rather than severe sleep apnea, and you may experience jaw stiffness at first, requiring regular checkups.

 

4️⃣ CPAP and Oral Appliance, Which One Should I Choose?

The suitable option varies depending on the degree and living conditions.

🔸 When a CPAP machine is more suitable
If diagnosed with severe sleep apnea / If oral appliances are ineffective / If a sleep specialist has recommended a CPAP machine

 

🔸 Cases where oral appliances are more suitable
For simple snoring or mild to moderate sleep apnea / When wearing a CPAP machine is uncomfortable or difficult to adapt to / When portability is important due to frequent business trips or travel

 

📌 It is not necessarily the case that only one of the two is possible.
If necessary, a CPAP machine and an oral appliance may be used together at the discretion of the medical team.

 

📌 Checkpoints Before Looking into Snoring Treatment
1. Whether it is simple snoring or accompanied by sleep apnea, where breathing stops during sleep
2. Do you frequently wake up after falling asleep or experience severe daytime sleepiness?
3. Are there any factors that can be adjusted first, such as weight, sleeping posture, or drinking habits?
4. Which is less disruptive to my daily life, wearing a mask or an oral appliance?

 

The important thing is to first check for the presence and severity of snoring and sleep apnea, and then select a treatment method appropriate for the cause and condition. ⚡

 

💬 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1. Is the oral appliance for snoring uncomfortable to wear?

A. Since it is custom-made to fit the individual's oral structure, it feels less foreign and allows for a more stable fit compared to off-the-shelf products. 🦷 It may feel a bit unfamiliar at first, but most people gradually adapt, and if you experience any discomfort after wearing it, it can be adjusted to fit you perfectly.

 

Q2. Can snoring improve just by changing lifestyle habits?

A. If you have mild snoring, as mentioned in the main text, symptoms can be reduced simply by changing lifestyle habits, such as managing your weight, sleeping on your side, and refraining from drinking alcohol before bed. 💡

However, if snoring persists despite these efforts, or if it is accompanied by cessation of breathing during sleep, frequent awakenings, or severe daytime sleepiness, it is advisable to seek medical attention and tests to check for sleep apnea.

 

🎯 Conclusion: There is not just one 'right answer' to snoring treatment.

This is because the appropriate method varies depending on the severity and cause of snoring and sleep apnea, as well as the individual's oral and airway structure. 📈

 

In particular, snoring is not just a simple noise but can be a sign of sleep apnea, so identifying the exact cause is the top priority.

 

If recurring snoring every night has made your mornings and the nights of your family sleeping beside you uncomfortable, it is now time to take a proper look at the cause. 😊

 

 

Seoul Dia Dental Clinic

Chief Director Lee Jeong-ho

Ministry of Health and Welfare Certified Specialist in Integrated Dentistry

Seoul National University Graduate School of Dentistry Advanced Dental Program

Harvard Dental School Advanced Implant Dentistry Course

Oral Design Non-invasive Laminate Course

Member of the American Academy of Implant Dentistry (AAID)

Research Advisory Committee Member, Osstem Implant Clinical Research Center