Dr. Shiba and her staff want to ensure you that your health is our highest priority. Our commitment to your safety is the foundation of our care.
Check out our recent COVID-19 Protocols.

Snoring and Sleep Apnea Treatment

Couple in bed with husband snoring and wife covering her ears.

For patients who suffer from snoring issues or possible sleep apnea, we have solutions. At Nancy Shiba, DDS, we can evaluate the situation and give you personalized recommendations. Our staff, including Nancy Shiba, DDS, can discuss options, ranging from a dental appliance to a surgical procedure, that will help you get the oxygen your heart needs while you sleep.

Why am I snoring?

Snoring is a vibration in your throat that occurs while you sleep due to the airway being blocked. Studies show that around 50% of adults over the age of 30 snore. There are various reasons that people snore. It can be due to:

•	Aging: As we age, all of us begin to lose elasticity and muscle tone everywhere, and start to droop, including in our palates, the tissue in our nose and mouth becomes looser and flabby.
•	Allergies: Patients who suffer from allergies can also have problems with snoring. Allergies cause inflammation in our nasal cavities which enlarges them and causes blockage.
•	Alcohol Consumption: Patients who like to end their night with a glass of wine, or other alcoholic drink, may find that they snore. This is due to the effects of alcohol relaxing the muscles in their airway.
•	Weight Gain: Putting on extra pounds has been found to increase the likelihood of snoring. Excess weight creates extra tissue and flab all over the body, including in the palate.
•	Genetics: In some cases, genes are the deciding factor in how much tissue is present and therefore in snoring.

Is snoring bad?

Snoring is considered a sign of a potential problem. Snoring is an indicator of blockage in your airway. This means that you may not be getting the oxygen you need while you sleep.

Does snoring mean you have sleep apnea?

Snoring is not the same problem as sleep apnea. Snoring is the vibration of tissue indicating blockage, sleep apnea is abnormal pauses in breathing while you sleep. Though snoring can be a sign of sleep apnea, studies show that only 1 in 15 patients who snore have sleep apnea. However, if you are snoring loudly, causing disruption with your partner, and snoring regularly, on a nightly basis, it could very well be a sign. In addition, sometimes patients have sleep apnea and they do not snore. The best way to figure out if you suffer from sleep apnea is to pay attention to the signs. The signs include:

•	Daytime exhaustion, you just never seem to get enough sleep.
•	Loud, regular snoring.
•	Finding yourself waking at night gasping for air.
•	Wake in the morning with severe headaches.
•	Suffer from high blood pressure.
•	Question why you are frequently irritable.

How can my dentist help?

Nancy Shiba, DDS can help. We can create a plan to increase your comfort, and help you breathe better while you sleep. The best way to do this is to start with the least invasive plan. We can create a customized sleep dental appliance that will put your teeth into a position to allow for easier breathing. This helps in most cases. If this device is not effective for your situation, we can discuss other avenues including the removal of excess tissue.

For more information on snoring and sleep apnea, contact our front desk at our San Jose office at (669) 306-7669, our staff is happy to answer your questions and assist you in scheduling an appointment.

Our Office
In San Jose

Nancy Shiba, DDS

125 N Jackson Ave, Suite 103, San Jose, CA 95116-1903

Phone

(669) 306-7669

Hours

Mon: 9AM–6PM
Tue: by appointment
Wed: 9AM–6PM
Thur: 9AM–3PM
Friday: 8AM–5PM
Sat & Sun: Closed

New Patient Forms

Request Appointment

Membership Programs

Snoring & Sleep Apnea in San Jose, CA
Nancy Shiba, DDS, 125 N Jackson Ave, Suite 103, San Jose, CA 95116-1914 • (669) 306-7669 • nancyshibadds.com • 1/8/2025