Sleep Apnoea Treatment at iSmile Dentistry 

29/09/2022

Sleep apnoea is a problem which can not only affect your sleep and quality of life, it can also have a significant impact on your oral health. If you are someone who snores loudly or experiences interrupted breathing during sleep, it’s worth booking an appointment with iSmile Dentistry to find out how we might be able to help.  

 What is Sleep Apnoea?  

Sleep apnoea is a sleep disorder whereby an in individuals throat muscles relax during sleep, leading to partial or complete blockage of the throat. This results in a temporary cessation of breathing, causing poor quality sleep. Breathing can stop for anywhere from ten seconds to one minute. The brain eventually registers the lack of breathing, causing the individual to rouse from their sleep with a snort or gasp before drifting back into slumber.  

Around 5% of Australian adults suffer from sleep apnoea, with men being 2-3 times more likely than women to experience the condition. Most people with sleep apnoea do not realise that they seem to be waking up during the night, and will typically only seek a diagnosis after being notified by their partner or significant other. 

Typical symptoms of sleep apnoea include: 

  • Snoring 
  • Fatigue 
  • Excessive daytime sleepiness 
  • Irritability/Mood Changes
  • Difficulty concentrating 
  • Morning headaches 

 

How Do Dentists Treat Sleep Apnoea? 

There are a range of factors which can lead to an individual experiencing sleep apnoea, with excess weight and obesity being the two major ones. Excessive consumption of alcohol has also been linked to the condition. Therefore it is important to firstly address these lifestyle factors by working in close consultation with your medical team. As part of your treatment, you may be advised to use a CPAP mask or dental splint. 

Your dentist can assist in a number of ways. As sleep apnoea can have an adverse effect on your dental health, they can easily identify the tell-tale signs and diagnose the disorder. Sleep apnoea can contribute to the development of gum disease and temporomandibular joint disorders (TMJ). This is due to the clenching action of the jaw during an episode of sleep apnoea. Over time, this will cause increased wear and tear on the teeth, in addition to other symptoms such as pain whilst chewing or persistent headache.  

Your dentist can prepare a custom dental splint as part of your treatment plan. This is worn during sleep, and it helps to push the lower jaw forward so that the airway remains open during sleep.  

Dental splints can be a very effective treatment option for people with mild to moderate sleep apnoea.  As an affordable, non-invasive and unobtrusive treatment option it is well worth visiting your dentist to have a custom splint prepared to suit your mouth.  

 

Visit iSmile Dentistry Today for Sleep Apnoea Therapy 

 iSmile Dentistry are proud to offer a range of specialist dentistry services, of which sleep apnoea therapy is one. A custom dental splint can be remarkably effective at managing mild to moderate cases of sleep apnoea, enabling people to enjoy a more restful night’s sleep. 

Experiencing interrupted sleep or health problems associated with sleep apnoea? Don’t put up with it, book an appointment at iSmile Dentistry today to discover how we can help.