Snoring Treatment

Snoring Treatment In The Woodlands, TX

It’s easy to joke about “sawing logs” as you sleep, but snoring is no laughing matter.

More than a noisy nuisance, snoring—caused by a physical obstruction of the air flow through the mouth and nose—can wake your partner up throughout the night and erode your personal relationship as well as diminish your quality of life. 

If you’re ready to get relief from snoring, Dr. Katherine Phillips is here to help. One of Houston’s premier experts in oral appliance therapy, she is board certified in dental sleep medicine and has devoted her entire practice to treating obstructive sleep apnea, snoring, and TMJ disorders.
Dr. Kathrine Phillips
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Give us a call at (281) 296-6797 today to schedule a consultation

Here's Why You Snore

Intermittent snoring may be caused by temporary conditions such as blocked nasal passages during allergy season, a sinus infection, or when you consume too much alcohol. If, however, you suffer from chronic, frequent snoring, you may have OSA which poses a dangerous threat to your health and to your quality of life.

Understanding why you snore is the first step toward getting the right treatment so you can enjoy a more restful, restorative night’s sleep. Common causes include:
Excess Throat and Neck Tissue. Bulky, fatty throat and neck tissue and poor muscle tone are often linked to being overweight or obese.

Age. The normal aging process can cause throat and tongue muscles to sag and relax, blocking your airway.

Anatomical Anomalies. Problems with your nose and throat anatomy tied to snoring include a deviated septum, a narrow throat, a cleft palate, and enlarged adenoids and/or tonsils.

Sleep Position. Sleeping in a certain position, such as on your back which makes the base of your tongue and soft palate collapse to the back wall of your throat, can cause you to snore.

Alcohol and Sedatives. Alcohol and sedatives relax the palate of your mouth and decrease the opening in the throat, which leads to snoring.

Smoking and Vaping. Smoking and vaping irritate and inflame the lining of your nose and throat, causing swelling and mucus build up (catarrh) in these tissues which makes it more difficult to breathe freely.

Connection Between Snoring and Sleep Apnea

Up to 45 percent of adult Americans snore. As many as half may have associated obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), a chronic condition in which breathing starts and stops from five to 30 times or more per hour throughout the night. 

Each awakening is usually so brief most people are unaware it happens. Dr. Katherine Phillips, who works closely with local sleep medicine physicians to treat mild to moderate OSA, understands the intricate connection between sleep apnea and snoring.

In general, symptoms will help you determine if obstructive sleep apnea is involved. They include loud, frequent snoring, daytime fatigue and excessive sleepiness, difficulty concentrating, irritability, and high blood pressure.

Our Approach to Treating Snoring

Snoring and OSA are both are treatable conditions. Surgery is usually recommended when anatomical problems are causing excessive snoring and OSA. Lifestyle changes such as quitting smoking and losing weight can help. Oral appliance therapy provided by Dr. Katherine Phillips, which may be used alone or in conjunction with lifestyle changes, involves wearing a custom-made device similar to a sports guard while you sleep. 


These appliances hold the lower jaw forward just enough to keep the airway open and prevent the tongue and muscles in the upper airway from collapsing and blocking the airway.


Another sleep apnea treatment option is using a CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) machine. Although CPAP treatment is effective, many people cannot tolerate wearing a CPAP and become non-compliant or abandon using it altogether. Dr. Katherine Phillips patients who are good candidates for oral appliance therapy prefer it over CPAP for its comfort, convenience, and effectiveness.

Answering Your Snoring Related FAQs

Select one of the frequently asked OSA / snoring related questions below to learn more.

  • Does everyone snore?

    Up to 45 percent of adults will snore at some point in their lives. And it is estimated that around 10 percent of children snore on most nights . 

  • When does snoring need to be treated?

    When snoring becomes frequent and begins to affect your quality of life and your health, and interferes with your sleep and your partner’s ability to sleep, it’s time to determine what is causing you to snore and to seek a solution.

  • Is snoring dangerous or life threatening?

    When it’s related to obstructive sleep apnea, snoring is a serious condition that may lead to a variety of chronic medical conditions. It raises the risk of type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, and others, and may even lead to death.

  • Are there any “home remedies” to reduce snoring?

    Lose weight. Avoid drinking alcohol three to four hours before going to sleep. If you have seasonal allergies, talk with your physician about taking over-the-counter allergy medication. Instead of sleeping on your back, try sleeping on your side or elevate your head with an extra pillow to help prevent collapsing in the back of the throat.

  • Is snoring genetic?

    To some extent. A study cited by the National Institutes of Health concludes that there is an overall strong association between habitual snoring and family history of snoring.

  • Do men snore more than women?

    Men are twice as likely to snore as women, possibly due air way anatomy, lifestyle choices, and fat distribution. When men gain weight, it is usually in the neck, upper torso and abdomen compared to women who tend to gain in the hips, abdomen, and thighs.

  • How can I tell if I snore?

    If you don’t live or sleep with someone who can tell you if you snore, download one several smartphone apps, such as SnoreLab. They track when and how loudly you snore and allow playback audio.


Contact Restore TMJ in The Woodlands for a Snoring Treatment Consultation

If you snore and suspect you may have obstructive sleep apnea, find out how Dr. Katherine S. Phillips can help you find relief. She holds a Master of Science in Orofacial Pain, is board certified in dental sleep medicine, and has dedicated her practice to treating sleep disorders, including obstructive sleep apnea. Dr. Phillips will develop a customized treatment plan to best meet your individual needs. Call to schedule an appointment today.

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