Snoring is common — about 40% of adult men and 25% of adult women snore regularly. Sleep apnea is also common — but more dangerous. The two get confused all the time.
Here’s how to tell the difference, and why it matters. From our sleep apnea team in Dansville.
What “just snoring” actually is
Snoring is the sound of soft tissues in your throat vibrating as air passes through a partially-narrowed airway. It can be loud and obnoxious, but if your airway stays open and you continue breathing normally throughout the night, it’s just sound — not a medical issue (apart from your partner’s sleep).
What sleep apnea is
Sleep apnea — specifically obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) — is when your airway repeatedly closes off completely during sleep. Each closure blocks breathing for 10 seconds to over a minute, dropping oxygen levels in your blood, until your brain briefly wakes you to restart breathing.
People with severe sleep apnea can have hundreds of these events per night without realizing it. The brain wakes just enough to restart breathing — not enough to remember.
Why it matters
Untreated sleep apnea has serious health consequences:
- 2x risk of high blood pressure
- Increased risk of stroke and heart attack
- Increased risk of type 2 diabetes
- Higher rates of depression and anxiety
- 3x risk of car accidents from drowsy driving
- Significant impact on relationships, work, and quality of life
Signs it might be more than snoring
What your bed partner sees
- Pauses in breathing — sometimes long, often startling
- Snoring that abruptly stops, then resumes with a gasp or snort
- Restless sleep — kicking, tossing, repositioning
- Wakes up choking or gasping
What you experience
- Persistent daytime fatigue, no matter how many hours you sleep
- Falling asleep during meetings, while reading, or while watching TV
- Morning headaches
- Dry mouth or sore throat upon waking
- Brain fog, memory problems, difficulty concentrating
- Irritability or mood changes
- Decreased interest in things you used to enjoy
- Frequent nighttime urination (yes, really — common with apnea)
Risk factors
- Being overweight (the single biggest risk factor)
- Being male
- Being over 40
- Having a thicker neck circumference
- Family history of sleep apnea
- Smoking or heavy alcohol use
- Being post-menopausal (for women)
- Having a small jaw or recessed chin
Important: thin and fit people can still have sleep apnea, particularly if jaw structure plays a role.
What to do if you suspect it
1. Take a screening questionnaire
The STOP-BANG questionnaire is a simple 8-question screening tool used by sleep specialists. A score of 3 or more suggests significant risk.
2. Get a sleep study
This is the only way to definitively diagnose sleep apnea. Options include:
- Home sleep test — most common; you wear a small device at home for 1-3 nights
- In-lab polysomnogram — overnight at a sleep center; more comprehensive
Both are usually covered by insurance.
3. Discuss treatment options
If you’re diagnosed, you’ll have options:
- CPAP (most common; gold standard for moderate-to-severe apnea)
- Custom oral appliance (mild-to-moderate apnea, or CPAP-intolerant patients)
- Lifestyle changes (weight loss, sleep position, alcohol reduction)
- Surgery (rarely — for specific anatomical issues)
Where dentists fit in
Dentists trained in sleep dentistry — including our team at A Smile By Design — fabricate custom oral appliances for patients diagnosed with mild-to-moderate apnea or those who can’t tolerate CPAP. We work in partnership with your physician and your sleep study results.
Bottom line
Don’t assume loud snoring is just an annoyance. If your partner sees pauses or gasps, or if you’re persistently tired despite sleep, get evaluated. The treatments work — and the health benefits of treating apnea are significant.
To discuss oral appliance therapy or get a referral for a sleep study, call (585) 335-2120.