948 N 200 E, Spanish Fork, Utah 84660
(801) 798-6000

Your Snoring May Be Caused by an Overbite

June 22, 2020 Image Credit:

Snoring isn't fun for anyone.

It can be a nuisance to those near. But, it's also a troublesome problem for those snoring as well.

Dangerous symptoms can accompany long-term snoring:

  • Increased risk of a heart attack
  • Increased risk of a stroke
  • Increased risk of other health problems


Now that we've established the need to stop snoring habits, how do you do that? If it were easy, everyone would be doing it, right?

Well, did you know the problem could be fixed by an expert orthodontist?

Overbites are frequently the culprit. It just so happens, that overbites are also a major reason why many people get braces.

HOW DOES AN OVERBITE CAUSE SNORING?

An overbite is when your upper jaw extends too far over your lower jaw. In fact, overbites are one of the main reasons people receive braces. Braces will bring the teeth back into the proper position, correcting your overbite.

An overbite can cause snoring because the lower jaw becomes even further recessed backwards during sleep. When this happens, the airways can become obstructed by your jaw.

If you try pulling your lower jaw back, you’ll see that it can pinch your airway shut. This is what triggers the noises.

A severe enough overbite is when the upper teeth overlap the lower ones by around 2.5 millimeters. Once this happens, you become prone to snoring. In some of the more severe cases, you can even suffer from obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) caused by your overbite, which can be life-threatening.

The best option to fix an overbite and eliminate snoring altogether is by receiving orthodontic braces.

Many of our younger patients come in to receive braces specifically because of overbites. However, overbites in older patients can be more difficult to adjust and may require orthognathic surgery.

A custom night guard will help remedy the problem, but will not get rid of it altogether.

If you suffer from snoring or sleep apnea and believe it may be caused by an overbite, please call (801) 798-6000 or visit Kuhni Orthodontic Studio to schedule a free consultation. We're here in Spanish Fork, Utah ready to serve you!