[ Magok Station Dental Clinic_2 ] Why is snoring a dental issue? The relationship between the jaw and the airway

Hello.

This is Seoul Dia Dental Clinic, helping turn dental worries into comfort at Magok Station.

This is Part 2 of the snoring series!

In Part 1, we talked about how snoring may be more than just a sleeping habit and can be a sign related to health.

Today, we’re covering the part many people are most curious about.

“Why is snoring a dental issue?”

“Isn’t it something for an otolaryngology clinic or a sleep clinic?”

That’s right.

Snoring is also treated in otolaryngology.

But one of the key causes of snoring is the structure and position of the jaw.

And the place that deals with the jaw is dentistry.

So today, let’s take a step-by-step look at how the jaw and airway are connected.

Why does the airway become narrow? The answer is in the jaw

Magok Station Dental Clinic_Narrowed airway

As mentioned in Part 1,

snoring happens when the airway becomes narrow.

But how does the jaw affect the narrowing of the airway?

The key is the position of the lower jaw.

When you fall asleep, the muscles relax

and the lower jaw droops backward.

When the lower jaw moves backward,

the tongue is also pushed backward.

When the tongue moves backward, it blocks the airway,

and air passing through the narrowed airway

creates the sound of snoring.

Put simply:

Lower jaw position → Tongue position → Airway width → Snoring

The start of this chain is the jaw.

The deeper relationship between the temporomandibular joint and snoring

The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is the joint where the lower jaw and the skull meet.

Depending on the position and condition of this joint,

the position in which the lower jaw rests is determined.

Magok Station Dental Clinic_Skull and temporomandibular joint in contact

People with TMJ problems or a structurally retruded lower jaw

are more likely to have a narrower airway while sleeping.

Also, the way the teeth fit together, or occlusion, is important.

Depending on how the upper and lower teeth align,

the natural position of the lower jaw changes.

If the occlusion is off,

the jaw often settles in a position pushed backward,

which can lead to airway problems during sleep.

In these cases, snoring is worse

Magok Station Dental Clinic_Snoring discomfort

1. When the lower jaw is small or set back

Structurally, the airway is more likely to be narrow.

That is why people who are naturally born with a small lower jaw

often have more severe snoring.

2. When the tongue is large

If the tongue is large, it is more likely to block the airway

when you fall asleep.

3. In cases of obesity

When fat builds up around the neck,

the airway is also compressed from the outside.

In this case, along with the jaw dropping backward,

the airway can become narrowed in two ways.

4. As you get older

As muscle elasticity decreases, the jaw and tongue

sag more during sleep.

This is one reason snoring tends to worsen with age.

So what can dentistry do?

In dentistry, a custom oral appliance is made

that gently brings the lower jaw forward.

When you wear the device in your mouth while sleeping,

the lower jaw is maintained in a forward position,

the tongue is also pulled forward, and the airway widens.

Magok Station Dental Clinic_Oral appliance

It is neither medication nor surgery.

It is a method that helps secure the airway

with a custom-made device worn in the mouth.

We’ll cover this oral appliance in more detail next time, so please look forward to it.

Let’s briefly summarize today’s discussion:

• One of the key causes of snoring is the position of the lower jaw

• When you fall asleep → the lower jaw drops backward → the tongue is pushed back → the airway narrows

• The position of the temporomandibular joint and the condition of occlusion affect airway width

• Snoring can be worse when the lower jaw is small, the tongue is large, there is obesity, or with aging

• In dentistry, an oral appliance is used to bring the lower jaw forward and secure the airway

In the next part, we’ll talk about “What happens if snoring is left untreated? The process leading to sleep apnea.”

Have a healthy day and a day full of bright smiles. ^^

[ Magok Station Dental Clinic_Snoring can be treated at a dental clinic ]

1. Snoring: just a sleeping habit, or is it a sign related to health?

2. Why is snoring a dental issue? The relationship between the jaw and the airway

3. What happens if snoring is left untreated? The process leading to sleep apnea

4. What are the treatment options for snoring? Comparing CPAP vs. oral appliances

5. What is a dental snoring device? A summary of how it works and its effects

6. Who is a snoring device especially suitable for? Suitable cases and precautions

[ This post was written for the purpose of providing accurate information about dental surgery and procedures in accordance with the Medical Service Act. Infection and side effects may occur after surgery, so the surgery (procedure) should be decided after sufficient consultation with skilled medical staff. ] ​