Snoring & Sleep Apnea
Dental Care
Dental CareSnoring & Sleep Apnea
Enjoy the elusive night’s sleep
Snoring not only affects the quality of sleep for the snorer but also their partner, often ending with a sharp elbow to the snorer’s ribs.
At Infinity Dental Care Winston Hills, we may just have the perfect solution to your disruptive night’s sleep.
Snoring is caused when muscles in your throat, the roof of your mouth (soft palate) and tongue relax during sleep. This causes a partial blocking of the airway and vibration when you breathe. Although common, snoring is not itself a health issue. However, it may be an indicator of the serious condition known as Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA).
OSA is when the soft tissue and muscles block the air passage completely and cause breathing to stop. These non-breathing episodes can last anywhere from 10 seconds up to one minute. In severe cases, they can occur up to a hundred times per night.
When you stop breathing, your brain registers the lack of oxygen and sends a signal to the throat muscles. This causes you to spasm or gasp, wake, resume breathing and fall back to sleep almost immediately and often without any recollection of waking.
The disruptive sleep patterns of Obstructive Sleep Apnea can lead to daytime fatigue, and contribute to high blood pressure, heart disease and stroke. Therefore it’s important to diagnose and treat OSA as soon as you become aware of the signs and symptoms.
Common signs related to snoring and sleep apnea
• Loud and chronic snoring
• Daytime sleepiness, no matter how much time you spend in bed
• Choking, snorting or gasping during sleep
• Morning headaches
• Restless sleep, insomnia or nighttime awakenings
• Long pauses in breathing
• Waking up with a dry mouth or sore throat
• Waking up feeling out of breath
• Forgetfulness and difficulty concentrating.
If you or your partner have noticed any of the symptoms, call and schedule a consultation appointment with us at Infinity Dental Care Winston Hills.
A dental splint from Infinity Dental Care Winston Hills to treat snoring and sleep apnea can vary in design. We will discuss with you the right option for your personal needs.
Similar to a sports mouthguard, a dental splint is plastic and made from detailed impression moulds of your teeth and gums. It is designed to reposition the jaw, tongue and soft palate, helping to open the airway and make breathing easier while sleeping.
A dental splint is a preferred alternative to a Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) machine. A CPAP machine has an air pump, tube and face mask worn over the nose and sometimes mouth. It produces a constant flow of low-pressure air into the throat. This prevents the airway from collapsing and stops snoring instantly.
Dental splints and CPAP machines prevent but do not cure Sleep Apnea. If you stop using them, snoring and Sleep Apnea will re-occur.
At Infinity Dental Care Winston Hills we can assess the position of your jaw while it’s relaxed and determine if your OSA symptoms could be resolved with the use of a night splint. We also work cooperatively with ENT (Ear Nose and Throat) specialists and Sleep Physicians.
To ensure you receive the best possible care, if you require an in-depth sleep study or assessment, you will be referred to one of the highly trained specialists we choose to work with or to a certified sleep apnea clinic. Speak to our friendly staff at (02) 9159 6237 to know more about treatments for snoring and sleep apnea. You can also visit our practice at 180 Caroline Chisholm Drive, Winston Hills NSW 2153.
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