Snoring
Snoring is a common sleep problem that can be caused by a variety of factors. In many cases, it’s simply a result of a person sleeping on their back or side. It is characterised by the production of noise when someone breathes in and out during sleep. And while most people believe it is not dangerous, only a few realise how it can lead to more serious problems such as sleep apnea.
COMPLETE DENTAL CARE
Daw Park Clinic
602 Goodwood Road,
Daw Park SA 5041
COMPLETE DENTAL CARE
Blackwood Clinic
237 Main Road,
Blackwood SA 5051
Sleep Apnea
Sleep apnea is a condition where you stop breathing for short periods of time during sleep. The interruption in air flow reduces the quality of your sleep and puts you at risk for numerous other health problems, including high blood pressure, heart disease, impaired memory and concentration, daytime headaches, and tiredness. Sleep apnea is not something to take lightly; if left untreated or undiagnosed, there are serious consequences.
Both genders and people of all ages are at risk of sleep apnoea, so it must be diagnosed as early as possible. Some of the most common symptoms associated with this condition include the following:
- Snoring
- Excess daytime sleepiness
- Sleepiness after meals
- Excessive gas in the stomach or windy or noisy breathing during sleep
- Headaches, migraine, and chronic pain in the neck, head, and shoulders
If your family witnesses these symptoms and suspects you have sleep apnea, it’s best to consult with your Adelaide dentist as soon as possible to eliminate possible risks associated with this sleeping problem.
Risks of Sleep Apnea
Sleep apnea is considered by many doctors a serious medical condition because it increases the risks of the following diseases:
- Heart attack - When a person stops breathing for a few seconds because of sleep apnoea, the heart muscles may get insufficient oxygen which can lead to heart attack.
- Stroke - When blood flow to the brain is interrupted for too long, the brain starts to suffer due to a lack of oxygen, which can cause brain damage or even death.
- Hypertension - Blood pressure increases because the heart has to pump harder and faster to get the blood to the brain and other parts of the body to supply lacking oxygen.
- Depression - Sleep apnoea can cause low mood due to disruption or lack of sleep and fatigue, which can increase the risk of depression.
Other possible consequences of sleep apnea include obesity, anxiety, morning headaches, accidents, and falls.
Treatment of Sleep Apnea
There are a couple of ways in which sleep apnea can be relieved. One is therapy while another option is surgery. Continuous Positive Airflow Pressure (CPAP) therapy is used to deliver pressurised air through a mask worn at night to keep the airways open. However, some patients may have severe obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) that they won’t respond to therapies anymore. In this case, surgery is considered.
Surgery may be the last option for patients with severe forms of OSA. A surgeon may remove excess tissue from the throat area to improve airflow, including tonsils, uvula, or adenoids. Tongue reduction and jaw surgery may also be considered to open mouth passages for better movement of air in and out of the respiratory tract.
Prevention of Sleep Apnea
Some people may not consider therapy or surgery as they can be very invasive treatments. Good thing there are oral appliances that are known to be effective in preventing mild to moderate OSA. The most commonly used is Mandibular Advancement Splint (MAS), a device that is worn similarly to mouth guards and retainers.
The MAS doesn’t exactly cure sleep apnea, but it can prevent it as well as snoring. It works by positioning the jaw in place to facilitate the proper opening and closing of the mouth during sleep. This exposes the airways to prevent breathing obstruction.
Benefits of Mandibular Advancement Splint (MAS)
There are several benefits to using MAS:
Improves Sleep Quality
Improving the quality and duration of sleep results in better overall health and wellbeing (reduced daytime fatigue, higher energy levels, and improved mood)
Increases Strength/Fitness
As muscles relax while sleeping, they become stronger, meaning you can work out harder and achieve greater results with your training or everyday routine. Your muscles will also become more flexible due to reduced tension during deep sleep.
Less Headaches & Migraines
Regular headaches across the base of the skull are usually caused by nerves being compressed by muscle tension. When muscles become relaxed, they can no longer press on these nerves causing headaches, migraines, or even neck and shoulder pain.
To find out if MAS is right for you, contact us today for a consultation.
To find out if MAS is right for you, contact us today for a consultation.
To find out if MAS is right for you, contact us today for a consultation.
Where to Get MAS?
MAS is a special oral appliance that only licensed dentists are authorised to provide. Good thing our team at Complete Dental Care offers this solution for snoring and sleep apnea. We make sure that all our patients are getting the best preventive treatment for dental and even sleeping problems.
We understand how crucial it is to address sleep apnea as soon as possible, so we want to make sure our Adelaide dentists can explain every detail of the treatment, especially on the use of MAS. We conduct evaluation and proper diagnosis to see if you are needing this kind of treatment.
Call our team at Complete Dental Care for the latest dental technologies and to address any dental problems. Book your appointment here.