Snoring and Sleep Apnoea

Snoring and Sleep Apnoea

Do you lack energy and get sleepy during the day? Do you dose off at inappropriate times? Do you or your partner Snore at night?

These symptoms may be caused by a condition called Obstructive Sleep Apnoea and can cause many long-term impacts on your Health.

What is Sleep Apnoea and what causes snoring?

Apnoea means the absence of breath and an episode lasting more than 10 seconds is defined as obstructive sleep apnoea. Obstructive Sleep Apnoea (OSA) is a condition which causes momentary narrowing or blockage of airways during your sleep. This can happen multiple times a night without you even knowing about it. It can be characterised by frequent and loud snoring with episodes of silence and then gasps for air. This narrowing causes your throat to become floppy which is more likely to vibrate which sequentially causes Snoring.

What Impact can it have on my health?

OSA blocks the airways as many as 60 times in one hour and therefore starves you vital organs such as, lungs and heart of oxygen. This causes them to work harder to supply your body with oxygen. OSA can be linked to many systemic conditions such as:

  • High Blood Pressure
  • Heart Disease
  • Strokes
  • Diabetes
  • Heart Attacks and Stroke

How is OSA treated?

There are 4 main ways to treat OSA and a correct diagnosis with your dentist and sleep physician is mandatory prior to treatment:

  • Weight loss
  • CPAP, A machine that blows air through a mask into your mouth and nose during sleep. However, some people find the mask or feeling of pressure difficult to tolerate.
  • Surgical treatment
  • Oral appliances, worn while you sleep. They are designed to rest your jaw in a forward position which prevents the collapse of the upper airway during sleep.

What can your Dentist do to help?

Your Dentist has completed further training to diagnose early signs of these conditions and can work in conjunction with other physicians to treat your condition. We tailor make oral appliances also known as a mandibular advancement splint specifically for your needs. Wearing the device holds the airway open whilst you are sleeping, so that breathing becomes easier and oxygen levels in the blood are normalised. The appliance should also control your snoring, giving you and your partner a sound sleep.