Dental Sleep Medicine

Snoring Treatment

Find out whether your snoring is sleep apnea — and quiet it with a custom, adjustable oral appliance from Dr. Pooja Goel in Santa Clara.

Quick answer: Loud snoring is treated first by finding out whether it is a sign of obstructive sleep apnea. If it is, a custom oral appliance — billed through medical insurance — treats both. If it is snoring alone, the same type of custom anti-snoring mouthpiece usually quiets it by holding the jaw slightly forward to keep the airway open.

Dr. Pooja Goel at Smiles for Life Dental Group in Santa Clara

Why People Snore

Snoring is the sound of soft tissue at the back of the throat vibrating as air squeezes past it during sleep. When the jaw and tongue relax and drop back, the airway narrows and the vibration gets louder. Alcohol, sleeping on your back, nasal congestion and weight gain all make it worse.

Snoring or Sleep Apnea?

Snoring becomes a medical problem when the airway does not just narrow but closes — the pauses in breathing that define obstructive sleep apnea. Signs that your snoring may be more than snoring:

  • A partner notices you stop breathing, gasp or choke
  • You wake up tired, with headaches or a dry mouth
  • You feel sleepy during the day or while driving
  • You have high blood pressure or wake often at night to urinate

If any of these sound familiar, read Do I have sleep apnea? — and talk to us before buying a snoring gadget online.

How Dr. Goel Treats Snoring

Dr. Goel, a Diplomate of the American Board of Dental Sleep Medicine, starts with your sleep history and an exam of your jaw, bite and airway. If sleep apnea is possible, we coordinate a sleep test with a sleep physician. When a custom appliance is the right treatment, digital impressions are taken and your mouthpiece is made to fit your teeth precisely, then adjusted over follow-up visits until the snoring is under control and the fit is comfortable.

Treatment room at Smiles for Life Dental Group

Custom vs. Store-Bought Snoring Mouthguards

  • Custom fit — made from impressions of your teeth, so it stays in place and protects your bite.
  • Adjustable — the jaw position is fine-tuned gradually for comfort and effect.
  • Supervised — follow-up visits check your teeth, jaw and sleep rather than leaving you to guess.

Frequently Asked Questions

No. Many people snore without having sleep apnea. But loud, nightly snoring — especially with gasping, choking or daytime tiredness — is one of the most common signs, so it is worth checking before treating the snoring alone.
A custom oral appliance holds your lower jaw slightly forward while you sleep, which keeps the airway more open so the soft tissues vibrate less. Fewer vibrations means less snoring.
Boil-and-bite devices are not adjustable and can strain the jaw or teeth. A custom appliance is made from impressions of your teeth and can be adjusted gradually for comfort and effect.
Treatment for snoring alone is usually not covered by medical insurance. If a sleep test shows obstructive sleep apnea, the appliance becomes a medical treatment and may be covered — we check your plan first.

Related Sleep & Airway Care

Oral Appliance TherapyDo I Have Sleep Apnea?Oral Appliance vs. CPAPServing San JoseTMJ & Craniofacial Pain

Ready to get started? Dr. Pooja Goel and our Santa Clara team are here to help.

Request an Appointment (408) 241-6501