What Is Your Snoring About?

The Link Between Snoring, Sleep Apnea, and Teeth Grinding

Snoring is often brushed off as a minor inconvenience, but for many patients, it can be a sign of an underlying airway issue. In some cases, snoring is associated with sleep-disordered breathing, including obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). What surprises many people is that bruxism—nighttime clenching and grinding—often occurs alongside these same conditions.

At VanSmileDesign, Dr. Van evaluates snoring, airway health, and bite function together and provides testing to support an accurate diagnosis, rather than treating symptoms in isolation.

Snoring, Apnea, and Bruxism: How They’re Connected

When airflow becomes restricted during sleep:

• Oxygen levels drop

• The brain triggers a protective response

• The jaw may shift forward to help reopen the airway

• Teeth clench or grind as part of this reflex

  
  

Over time, this cycle can lead to tooth wear, cracked restorations, jaw pain, headaches, and ongoing fatigue. In these cases, grinding is often a symptom of airway instability—not just stress.

Signs You May Need an Airway Evaluation

Common warning signs include:

• Loud or chronic snoring

• Unrefreshing sleep or daytime fatigue

• Morning headaches

• Jaw soreness or facial muscle tension

• Worn, chipped, or fractured teeth

• A history of clenching or grinding

These findings are frequently first identified during a dental exam.

Why Proper Testing Matters

Because snoring and bruxism can be linked to sleep apnea, accurate diagnosis is essential. Dr. Van offers screening and testing options to help determine whether symptoms are related to simple snoring or a more significant sleep-related breathing disorder. This allows care to be evidence-based and, when appropriate, coordinated with medical providers.

Treatment Options at VanSmileDesign

Depending on each patient’s needs, Dr. Van may recommend:

• Custom oral appliance therapy to improve airflow, reduce snoring, and protect teeth from grinding

• NightLase® laser therapy, a non-invasive treatment that gently tightens the tissues of the throat and soft palate to improve airway support and reduce snoring, with no downtime

• Collaboration with physicians when sleep apnea is suspected or diagnosed

  
  

Both therapies are excellent options for patients seeking a comfortable, non-surgical approach to improving snoring and airway function.

Listen to What Your Snoring Is Telling You

Snoring is more than noise—it is valuable information. When combined with tooth wear, jaw discomfort, or fatigue, it may be a sign that your airway and bite need attention.

At VanSmileDesign, Dr. Van uses clinical evaluation, testing, and evidence-based treatment options to protect your smile while supporting better sleep and overall health.