Winston Hills Shopping Centre 20A/180-192 Caroline Chisholm Drive, Winston Hills NSW

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Snoring & Sleep Apnea

Dental Care

What is sleep apnea?

What is sleep apnea?

Snoring affects 2 out of 10 Australian adults during their lifetime. Although it may seem that snoring has no significant medical impact, it may indicate a more severe medical condition known as obstructive sleep apnea. Sleep apnea is a common disorder in which during sleep you have one or more pauses in breathing or shallow breathing.

What causes snoring and sleep apnea?

Obstruction of airways (soft tissue such as excessive weight or tonsils)

– Permanently Blocked nose

What are the consequences of snoring and sleep apnea?

All people who snore should be tested for obstructive sleep apnea as it can increase chances of serious health ramifications such as:

  • Increased blood pressure
  • Anxiety and depression
  • Heart disease
  • Even stroke and heart attack
  • Recurrent tonsillitis
  • In children, prolonged bed wetting
  • Misalignment of teeth

When the body is solely relying on receiving oxygen through the mouth and the mouth is open, the tongue is no longer supporting the roof of the mouth (palate). When breathing through the mouth the cheeks motion inwards and outwards, this then places pressure on the upper arch. With this pressure and no tongue to now guide the upper arch, in turn, it becomes narrow. This can then hinder the amount of room available for certain teeth to come down when children are developing.

Do I Have sleep apnea?

A person is considered to have sleep apnea if there are more than 5 partial or complete obstructions per hour of sleep in which the person may awake or may not. Symptoms of sleep apnea may include:

  • Snoring
  • Feeling tired after 8-9 hours of sleep
  • Choking or gasping for air during sleep
  • Sore, dry throat upon waking
  • Lack of concentration
  • Poor memory
How can I treat sleep apnea?

The first step is to be diagnosed with sleep apnea and to be referred to the correct health care service. Dr Jack works closely with ENT specialists (ears nose and throat). Make an appointment to discuss your concerns or symptoms present. The diagnosis of sleep apnea is crucial so that the most effective treatment can be offered.

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Call Us on (02) 9159 6237 to make an Appoinment