Are Snoring and Sleep Apnoea Related?
Snoring could be caused by a medical condition known as obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA). It occurs when the muscles at the base of the throat relax too much during sleep and completely block off air passage between the back of the nose and the larynx or voice box.
Sufferers can experience pauses in breathing while asleep and are forced to wake up to restart their breathing process. The patient/person does not remember these moments of waking called microarousals. This sleep-wake cycle can happen hundreds of times each night and reduces sleep quality. It could also be dangerous as it disrupts breathing mechanisms.
If you have sleep apnoea or a breathing disorder, you may also be at risk for serious medical conditions like strokes, high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, and heart attacks.
Here are some of the common signs that you may have a snoring or breathing disorder:
- Gasping for breath during sleep
- Dry mouth upon waking
- Partner or family or friends noticing you snore
- Tiredness and anxiety during the waking hours
- Excessive sleepiness during the day
- Poor concentration and memory
- Reflux
Call us at Happy Dentistry today if you experience any of these signs, and our dentists will help you to determine if you are suffering from obstructive sleep apnoea.
Oral Treatments for Snoring and Sleep Apnoea
Medical practitioners have treatments for sleep and breathing disorders. However, dentists can offer ways to effectively address or improve these conditions via oral treatment.
As mentioned, loud snoring happens when the lower jaw becomes too relaxed. When that happens, air passage in the throat is reduced, causing the throat muscles to vibrate irregularly and create the noise we all know as snoring. If this throat vibration happens often, it can irritate the muscles and cause swelling. It makes the airway even smaller and contributes to even louder snoring.
Dental appliances are an effective treatment for snoring. Such devices can prevent the jaw from moving backwards during sleep. By doing so, they stop the associated noise or snoring from occurring.
At Happy Dentistry, we can provide you with a custom dental appliance you can wear while you sleep. It will help prevent blockage in your throat’s air passage, ensure the right oxygen levels reach the brain and improve sleep quality.
Need a Consultation with a Chinese-Speaking Dentist in Melbourne?
We are proud to communicate effectively in both English and Mandarin at our dental practice in Melbourne. We offer our services to international students, families, and anyone looking to address snoring and sleep apnoea, as well as improve their dental and oral health.
We Are Here to Help
At Happy Dentistry, we take a patient centred approach in all our services. We will always prioritise your comfort, health, and safety. We will work with you as you decide to improve the quality of your sleep and your dental and oral health.
Happy Dentistry provides high quality, state of the art oral treatment for snoring and sleep apnoea. Our dentists in Melbourne are continually updated with the latest tools and techniques in the field of dentistry.
Accessible Location
Located on Swanston Street, our dental practice is in the heart of Melbourne CBD. Visit us at our Melbourne dental clinic during our opening hours!
Get quality oral treatment for snoring and sleep apnea to improve your sleep and lifestyle. Please book an appointment today, or you can learn more about our Chinese-speaking dentist in Melbourne.