What is snoring and what dangers does it pose?

Last updated on: 5 Aug, 2026

Many people wake up in the morning with a headache, a dry mouth and a feeling of restless sleep. These are some of the main symptoms of snoring, which affect a significant proportion of the adult population – according to various studies, between 40–45% of men and 25–35% of women.

Snoring not only impairs the quality of your own sleep, but also that of your partners. This problem requires serious attention and appropriate treatment for snoring.

What is snoring?

When a person sleeps, all the muscles in the body relax naturally. This includes the muscles in the soft palate, throat and tongue. If the muscles relax too much, the airways narrow.

The narrowed airways cause the airflow to swirl, which leads to the relaxed muscles vibrating and producing the characteristic sounds. The noise can reach an incredible 90 decibels or more, which is well above the decibels of normal speech.

Muscle tone plays a key role in this process. When it is reduced in the upper airways, the likelihood of snoring increases significantly.

What are the factors that cause snoring?

There are many and varied causes of snoring. Understanding them is crucial for choosing the right treatment.

The main factors include:

• Physiological problems in the nose and throat: Enlarged tonsils or a deviated nasal septum can cause snoring.
• Snoring and weight: Being overweight directly affects snoring as it puts pressure on the airways.
• Snoring and alcohol: Alcohol relaxes the muscles even further.
• Snoring and smoking: Tobacco causes inflammation and swelling of the tissues, which increases snoring.
• Menopause: Hormonal changes during the menopause affect muscle tone.
• Allergies: These cause swelling and blockage of the nasal passages.
• Medications: The use of medications, particularly sedatives, can increase snoring.
• Snoring and heredity: Genetic predisposition is an important factor.
• Snoring and age: With age, muscles naturally lose tone, which intensifies snoring.

Each of these factors can contribute to the development of snoring, either on its own or in combination with others. Identifying the specific causes in each patient is of paramount importance for successful treatment.

Side effects and risks

Snoring is not just an unpleasant sound. It carries serious health risks. Poor sleep quality has a negative impact on overall physical and mental health. 

Chronic snoring is often an indicator of respiratory problems and obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) – a condition in which the airways become briefly blocked. It is precisely this reduction in oxygen that lies at the root of serious health problems.

Key risks include constant daytime fatigue, problems with concentration and high blood pressure. Snoring and chronic diseases are also closely linked. People who snore regularly are at a higher risk of cardiovascular complications and stroke.

When is snoring considered a problem?

Snoring becomes a medical problem when it affects your quality of life. If you wake up frequently during the night or feel tired despite getting enough sleep, it is time to seek advice.

A sleep disorder is considered serious when your partner complains about loud snoring. This indicates that the sound is loud enough to disturb the sleep of those around you.

Particular attention should be paid to snoring in children. In young patients, it may indicate enlarged tonsils or other physiological problems.

Snoring is more common in men due to anatomical differences. Unpleasant snoring in women usually worsens after the menopause due to hormonal changes.

How can we deal with snoring?

There are various treatment options that can effectively reduce or completely eliminate the problem. The approach must be comprehensive and personalised.

Lifestyle changes

Sleeping habits play an important role in treating snoring. Sleeping position is critical – sleeping on your back increases the likelihood of snoring.

Snoring and diet are closely linked. Losing weight if you are overweight can drastically improve symptoms. Snoring and stress are also interrelated, as managing stress improves sleep quality.

Specialised exercises

Special exercises for snoring include workouts to strengthen the muscles in the throat and tongue. Regularly performing these exercises can significantly improve muscle tone.

Dental treatment

People are often surprised to learn that it is actually the dentist who can help you tackle this problem. Without surgery or nose clips, at the Dentatime clinic we offer custom-made treatment devices – Silensor sl.

The anti-snoring device – Silensor sl – is made from materials supplied by the German company ERKODENT and consists of two transparent splints – one for the upper jaw and the other for the lower jaw. The splints are connected by a hinged plate that moves the lower jaw forward, keeping the airways open and promoting restful sleep. 

Unlike other solutions, the device allows movement of the joint and jaw, but prevents them from returning to their original position. The splints are made using an individual impression of the patient. 

They are compact, comfortable and do not interfere with breathing. They are worn solely whilst sleeping. Clinical trials show that advancing the lower jaw reduces snoring by up to 90%.

Medical consultations

In cases of serious respiratory problems, consultation with a medical specialist is required. A comprehensive approach involves assessing all causes of snoring.

Conclusion

Do not underestimate the signals your body is giving you. Do not let snoring affect the quality of your life. 

Book a consultation at Dentatime Clinic and find the most suitable solution for your case. You can contact us by phone on (+359) 892 600 602 or via our online platform.