Think You Might Have Sleep Apnoea? See Your Dentist

Do you often wake up feeling tired? Has a sleeping partner complained about snoring? Happy Rock Dental might be able to help you. Sleep disturbances and snoring can be a sign of obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA).

OSA causes frequent pauses in breath that may last a few seconds before breathing restarts, often with a loud gasp or snort, and which can occur multiple times each hour. These pauses will partially but not wholly awaken sufferers, leading to excessive daytime sleepiness. OSA greatly diminishes sleep quality and is linked to a higher risk of diabetes, obesity, heart disease and high blood pressure.

How We Can Help

Usually, OSA occurs because the muscles in the back of the throat relax during sleep and the tongue falls backward, partially or wholly obstructing the airway. Other potential problems are caused when the jaw is too small, or the tongue is too large. Our dentist can assess your oral health to determine if you might have sleep apnoea and can advise you about suitable treatments. Mild-to-moderate OSA is often treated with a custom-made dental splint which prevents your teeth from contacting, placing your lower jaw in a slightly forward position and helping to keep the airway open during sleep. You can look forward to a peaceful and restorative night’s sleep!

Dec, 05, 2018

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