By Dr. Forrest Norman, Queens Road Dentistry
What’s so bad about snoring?
Is snoring an issue in your house? Maybe your spouse keeps you up at night…or you’ve noticed your child snoring when you go in their room at night…or maybe your spouse tells you that you snore. These could be signs of a health problem that needs to be addressed.
Snoring is caused by air turbulence in the throat inducing soft tissue vibration. It is a risk factor for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) which affects 30% of the adult population and about 10% of children. Interestingly enough, if you can hear a child breathing during sleep it’s considered a sign of an underlying problem. Medical experts say that 95% of people with OSA go undiagnosed.
OSA is defined as a disorder of breathing during sleep characterized by prolonged or intermittent upper airway obstruction that disrupts normal breathing. There could be a structural problem such as poorly developed jaws or other obstruction such as enlarged tonsils or adenoids.
The effects of not getting a good night’s sleep over time, whether it be yourself or your spouse snoring (waking you up), can cause devastating effects on one’s health. This is also true for children. Symptoms for OSA are different for adults and children. Below is a start as to how the symptoms of OSA can exhibit themselves in the body:
Adult Symptoms:
– High Blood Pressure
– Increased Risk of Stroke
– Diabetes
– Acid Reflux
– Compromised Immune System
– Brain fog/fatigue
– Cardiovascular Disease
– Grinding/Clenching teeth
Children Symptoms:
– Hyperactivity/ADHD
– Growth and Development Issues
– Behavioral Problems
– Poor Academic Performance
– Bedwetting
– Night Terrors/Sleep Walking
– Grinding/Clenching teeth
– Mouth Breathing
There are many treatments for OSA. They include lifestyle changes such as exercise and nutrition. There are also treatments which may require wearing an oral appliance at night to help restore proper breathing. A CPAP machine may be required for more severe cases in adults. If it is determined that there is poor jaw structure, this can be corrected by expanding the jaw structure in children as well as adults. Finally, surgical procedures such as removing tonsils and adenoids can be an option to open up the airway if needed.
What do you do if you think snoring is affecting you or a loved one’s health?
At Queens Road Dentistry, Dr. Forrest Norman’s areas of expertise include Complex Restorative treatment, Non-surgical TMD therapy, Sleep Apnea treatment, Orthotropics and Airway Orthodontics.
Dr. Norman is committed to excellence through continuing education. He has completed over 1,000 hours of post-graduate training including a mini-residency in Biobloc Orthotropics and another mini-residency in TMD/Sleep Apnea treatment. This was all fueled by supporting his at the time, 4-year-old son’s health problems who is now thriving!
We encourage you to listen to this comprehensive call {37 minutes – so get cozy!) with Dr. Norman, Adri Warrick {Integrative Nutritional Health Coach from Simple Wellness} and Dr. Michael Smith, Carolinas Natural Health Center. Together, they cover the “Why?” behind snoring, teeth grinding, mouth breathing, fatigue, ADD/ADHD, behavioral problems, headaches, fatigue and more.
Dr. Norman is offering a free 15-minute Discovery Phone Consultation for Smarty readers to assess your family’s needs. Please mention Charlotte Smarty Pants when you click here to schedule your call!
About Dr. Norman
Dr. Forrest Norman is a native of Greensboro, NC. He attended NC State University for his undergraduate degree in Zoology. He then attended the University of North Carolina School of Dentistry in Chapel Hill, NC and received his DDS degree in 1996.
Dr. Norman’s areas of expertise include Complex Restorative treatment, Non-surgical TMD therapy, Sleep Apnea treatment, Orthotropics and Orthodontics.
Dr. Norman is committed to excellence through continuing education. He has completed over 1,000 hours of post-graduate training including a mini-residency in Biobloc Orthotropics and another mini-residency in TMD/Sleep Apnea treatment.
Dr. Norman and his wife Amy live in Charlotte with their two children Emily and Henry.
You can find Queens Road Dentistry at:
Queens Road Dentistry
200 Queens Rd #310
Charlotte, NC 28204
Phone: (704) 334-5306
Office Hours {NOW OPEN}:
Monday – Wednesday: 8:00am – 4:30pm
Thursday: 7:00am – 2:00pm
