Snoring and sleep apnoea are common conditions affecting around 1 in 10 Australians. If you suffer from sleep apnoea, you will experience narrowing or partial closure of your airways during your sleep. This breathing disorder causes you to stop breathing for a short amount of time until your body notices a drop in oxygen levels and sends you a wake-up call in the form of a snore, snort or gasp. You’ll then drift back to sleep with little to no recollection of the disturbance.
This pattern may go on repeatedly through the night. This can disturb your sleep and leave you feeling constantly exhausted. The snoring and other sounds created by the narrowing of your airways during your sleep can also disturb those who sleep in proximity to you.
Patients turn to us for snoring & sleep apnoea therapy when they:
- Feel tired during the day, like they can never get enough sleep
- Snore or snort loudly during the night waking up themselves and others
- Wake up with a sore throat often
- Grind or clench their teeth during their night
- Suffer from headaches (usually morning headaches)
- Lack concentration
Whilst snoring is the subject of many jokes, sleep apnoea is no laughing matter and shouldn’t be ignored. Left untreated, it can have several negative impacts on your health and quality of life. Clarity Dental is here to help you lower your risks and reduce or even eliminate your snoring.
If you have reason to believe you have sleep apnoea, book an assessment with one of our experienced dentists.
Treatment
Our dentists work closely with you and your sleep physician to determine the best treatment path for you. Depending on the severity of your sleep apnoea, the results of your sleep test and the recommendations of your sleep physician, your therapy may include:
If your sleep apnoea is mild to moderate in severity, our dentists can provide a custom made mouthguard. This oral device, also known as a mandibular advancement splint is worn through the night to hold your jaw forward as you sleep. This reduces the narrowing of your airways, helping you get a good night’s sleep.
If you are suffering from a case of severe sleep apnoea, a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine may be the best treatment option. This machine consists of a device that is worn over your face as you sleep. It works by increasing the air pressure in your throat, gently adjusting your lower jaw. This helps keep your airways open so you have a steady flow of oxygen through the night.
Improve your sleep and conquer your day, every day, with the help of Clarity Dental.