Many people consider snoring to be one of the most annoying habits that someone can have. After all, no one wants to have their sleep disrupted because someone who is in earshot starts snoring. And, for people who snore, this habit can be extremely embarrassing when going on a business trip or sleeping at a friend’s house. 

If you snore, you shouldn’t be embarrassed; almost 50% of people snore on a regular basis. But, is snoring just an annoying noise, or is actually a sign of a health disorder?

Snoring occurs when someone’s airways are partially blocked, causing vibrations in the throat as air tries to pass through. It is important to note that, if you are healthy and fit, snoring should not occur. The most common cause of snoring is being overweight and having fatty tissues blocking your airway. It is also important to note that, usually, children will not snore. If they do, it is probably the result of tonsils or adenoids that are too large. A simple tonsillectomy or adenoidectomy will solve the issue. 

Snoring, in reality, is something that is not overly serious. Typically, if you are overweight and snoring, you can lose some weight and your snoring will be relieved. However, in certain cases, snoring can be a sign of sleep apnea. 

Dr. Samuels lists some causes of snoring below: 

- Poor muscle strength in your throat, tongue, and mouth area

- Enlarged tonsils or adenoids

- Growths in the throat (tumors, cysts, etc.)

- A stuffy nose

If you are a snorer, a major disease that it may be associated with is sleep apnea. Studies show that roughly 50% of snoring cases are a result of the person suffering from sleep apnea. In order to properly determine what is causing your snoring, you need to receive a sleep study. If it determined that you have sleep apnea, either obstructive or central, it can lead to many other health issues. These include: 

- HBP

- Cardiovascular Disease

- Diabetes

- And many others… 

Stay tuned to our social channels and blog for our next blog article. Dr. Samuels will take a deeper look at sleep apnea and discuss the two separate types of sleep apnea. 

Are you looking for a dentist in Rockville, MD?

Do you live near Rockville, MD? If so, and you are in need of a dentist, we welcome you to schedule an appointment today. 

When you grab a snack to eat, a savory treat to enjoy, or a drink to quench your thirst, do you think about the damage that it can do to your teeth? We are guessing that you probably don’t. However, you should always consider which foods and beverages will cause damage to your teeth and have adverse effects on both your oral and overall health.

Below, Dr. Samuels in Rockville, MD outlines five foods and beverages that can damage your teeth by promoting tooth decay and gum disease. Dr. Samuels is not implying that you eliminate these foods and beverages from your diet, but to make sure you’re taking proper care of your teeth after consumption.

ALSO READ: How Can I Keep Cavities From Developing?

1.) Hard Candy/Suckers:

Hard candy and suckers melt in your mouth over a duration of time. Due to this, sugar and syrup are slowly being released into your mouth over a long period of time. As these sugars are released, bacteria use them to create acid. If you bite into a sucker or hard candy, they can easily cause a dental emergency as well.

2.) Soda

Bacteria use sugar from foods and drinks to produce acids that attack your enamel. Sodas typically contain acid already and then help bacteria produce additional acid that attacks your tooth enamel. Unfortunately, sodas are typically caffeinated and will cause you to dehydrate and develop dry mouth. When your mouth is dry, sugars, acid, and bacteria can harm your teeth as saliva is not present to protect them.

3.) Coffee and Tea (if not made correctly)

If you do not add anything to your tea or coffee, they are not bad choices for a beverage to drink. However, when you start adding flavors, syrup, and sugars, you start to make these drinks dangerous for your teeth. Similar to soda, coffee and tea can be caffeinated and cause you to suffer from dry mouth.

4.) Chewy/Sticky Food

Do you enjoy indulging in those fruity candies? You know, Starbursts, Skittles, or Sweet Tarts? Due to the texture of these candies, they tend to stay on your teeth for long periods of time and cause damage. In addition to candies, dried fruits are typically chewy and will do damage to your teeth as well. Rinsing your mouth with water, brushing, and flossing will help to remove particles of chewy food from your teeth.

5.) Citric Fruits

The biggest drawback of soda is the acids that they introduce to your mouth. Similar to soda, citric fruits are chalk full of acid. Acids eat away at your enamel and make you more prone to developing cavities over time. Squeezing lemons or limes into your water might seem like an innocent habit, but it can actually ruin the health benefits of drinking water for your mouth. Always drink plain tap water.

Are you in need of a dentist in Rockville, MD?

If you read this article, you are probably concerned about the health of your teeth and mouth. Dr. Samuels in Rockville, MD wants your mouth to be as healthy and happy as possible. If you are in need of a dentist, Dr. Samuels welcomes you to schedule an appointment at his office!