Sleep Apnoea
What is Sleep Apnoea?
Do you remember the last time you woke up in the morning feeling refreshed after a full night’s sleep? If you consistently feel tired when you get up, you may suffer from sleep apnoea.
To find effective relief, visit the dental professionals at Mitcham Dental Clinic for advice.
Why Is Sleep Apnoea a Dental Issue?
Although sleep apnoea is a sleeping disorder, it also has oral side effects. If you suffer from this condition, you may experience any of the following dental symptoms:
- Broken, cracked or missing teeth
- Jaw clenching
- Jaw pain, which could be a sign of temporomandibular joint disorders
- Pain when chewing
- Teeth grinding
Sleep apnoea has many health implications as well and has been linked to heart health and depression. Feeling overly tired during the day is also a big concern and has a negative effect on how you feel.
How do you treat Sleep Apnoea?
Sleep Apnoea can be a worry… but the good news is we have solutions!
How we can help you…
We are a Somnomed accredited practice and have the training, skills and experience to accurately diagnose and effectively treat sleep apnoea.
Did you know…
4.2 million people in Australia have a sleep breathing disorder and up to 80% of these people remain undiagnosed.
Misdiagnosis is also a huge concern and people can become frustrated when the treatment their health practitioner has recommended doesn’t work. Our assessment and treatment is simple yet effective and can change your life.
How do you treat Sleep Apnoea?
Once you’ve had an assessment, a sleep physician will recommend the best appliance for your condition which we custom make specifically for you.
How does the appliance work?
Each appliance is different, but they are worn at night and generally work by holding the jaw forward which leaves the airway clear so you can breathe easily and enjoy a restful sleep.
Sleep Apnoea FAQs
The warning signs of sleep apnoea include snoring, pausing of breath during sleep, daytime sleepiness, difficulty concentrating, learning or remembering, overall tiredness during the day.
There are generally two main types of sleep apnoea: Obstructive Sleep Apnoea and Central Sleep Apnoea.
Obstructive sleep apnoea is caused by partial or complete blockage of the airways during sleep. The throat muscles relax allowing the tongue to fall to the back of the throat and block airflow, which reduces bloodflow to the brain.
Central Sleep Apnoea occurs when the brain fails to send signals to muscles responsible for breathing. Unlike Obstructive Sleep Apnoea, this is a communication issue between the brain and the breathing muscles rather than a mechanical problem.
Mixed Sleep Apnoea/ Complex Sleep Apnoea is a combination of both obstructive and Central Sleep Apnoea.
Depending on the type of sleep apnoea, there are a number of treatment options.
For obstructive sleep apnoea, either a Mandibular advancement splint (only for mild to moderate cases) or a CPAP machine can be used. Central and Mixed Sleep Apnoea can only be managed by a CPAP machine.