“The Tooth And Nothing But The Tooth”
By Chris “Dr Smile Maker” Branfield
National Stop Snoring Week
Hello again, I hope you are well. This month we have National Stop Snoring Week. It is actually 22nd – 28th April. There seems to be a national week or national day for most things now and snoring has not escaped. Snoring and lack of sleep is gaining more interest, as is sleep medicine as a subject. Poor sleep can have serious health repercussions.
Snoring
The sound of snoring is irritating and annoying and can lead to sleep deprivation for the bed partner. But the noise of snoring can also cause a number of health problems. The level of noise that starts to have an effect on sleep is around 40dB. The noise of snoring can range from about 50dB to 100+dB. Research has consistently found that when exposed to noise at these levels, it can have a negative effect on all areas of wellbeing.
Sleep disturbance, hearing impairment, daytime functioning, mental health problems, cognitive issues and negative social behaviour can be symptoms of being subjected to loud noise over an extended period of time. Sleep deprivation can also have a negative impact on body systems such as hormonal release, glucose regulation and cardiovascular function. Some bed partners who sleep with a snorer try to ignore the noise.
Although they may manage to sleep through the night, the quality of sleep is much reduced and they will not feel as refreshed in the morning as they should. Noise tends to reduce deep refreshing sleep to more shallow sleep, and will reduce dreaming sleep.
Facts About Snoring:
• 15 million snorers in the UK.
• 10.5 million men 4.5 million women.
• 40-50% of patients do not comply with suggested treatment.
• Men are louder snorers than women.
• 58% of snorers are between 50-59 years of age.
• The average sound of snoring is around 50dB but can reach up to 100dB which is the equivalent to listening to a motorbike roaring in your ear.
• Napoleon Bonaparte, Winston Churchill, Teddy Roosevelt and even Queen Victoria were all snorers.
• Snorers have less sex than their non-snoring counterparts.
The Good News
So, why’s a dentist going on about snoring? Well, a whole lot of snoring is caused by the soft palate on the tongue. With a Non-Surgical Laser Therapy or a Mandibular Advancement Device we can successfully alleviate loud snoring.
There is an app that you can get for your smart phone called Snore Lab. It’s a really good way to follow your snoring. We advise using it before during and after treatment as a guide to how you are doing. Here is an actual series a kind (and very happy) patient let me share during Nightlase Therapy.
Until next time.
Take care and be good.
Here’s to making a difference.
Chris Branfield is Principal Dentist at Castle Park Dental Care, Castle Villa, 28 Castle Road, Cottingham, telephone 01482 772550. He has been in dental practice for 26 years and has a special interest in Life Changing, Pain Free Dentistry with Dental Implants, Teeth Straightening and Cosmetic Dentistry. And, not only that Chris is founder member and trustee of Dental Mavericks charity- ending the daily dental pain of Moroccan kids. For more patient success stories and Chris’ Humanitarian work go here now www.castleparkdental.co.uk
