Snoring and Sleep Apnoea Treatment at St. Leonards Green Dental
Do you or your partner suffer from sleepless nights caused by chronic snoring? Snoring is the result of soft tissues vibrating against one another at the back of your throat. While certain sleep positions may help, snoring could be a risk factor of a bigger problem like sleep apnoea.
Causes of Snoring
Snoring is the result of several different factors. Some of the most common include:
- Weight gain or a high BMI
- Alcohol use
- Large neck circumference
- Allergies and sinus problems
- Short or narrow lower jaw
- Obstructive sleep apnoea
What Is Obstructive Sleep Apnoea (OSA)?
OSA is a specific type of sleeping disorder where your soft tissues seal against one another, blocking air flow. It usually occurs at the back of your mouth, when you’re lying down at night. As you relax, your tongue drifts backwards and blocks itself against your soft palate, tonsils and upper airway. When you breathe, your oxygen flow is partially or completely blocked off due to the tissues pushing together.
Most traditional treatments for OSA include the use of a CPAP machine. Unfortunately, this bulky and noisy piece of equipment can interfere with your ability to travel, share a bedroom or sleep in different types of positions.
Fortunately, there’s another option to consider; one that’s made by one of our dentists here at St. Leonards Green Dental! It’s an oral sleep appliance.
How an Oral Sleep Appliance Can Help
Oral sleep apnoea and snoring appliances naturally open your airway and increase oxygen flow. When worn, your mouthpiece moves your lower jaw in a slightly forward position. We call this a ‘mandibular advancement device’. As a result, the soft tissues at the back of your mouth (upper portion of your airway) are prevented from collapsing against one another. Consequently, symptoms like snoring are reduced or completely eliminated.
People with sleep apnoea who wear a mandibular advancement device can see results quite quickly. If you use a bulky CPAP machine, your oral sleep appliance may eliminate the need to wear it any longer.
Advantages of Using an Oral Sleep Aid
- More comfortable to wear than CPAP
- Easy to travel with
- Isn’t bothersome to your sleep partner
- Ability to change sleep positions at night
- More convenient to clean and maintain
Can I Get a Sleep Study at Home?
In some situations, yes. A home sleep study gives medical professionals most of the same data that they would record if you had a traditional clinical study completed. Instead of having to visit an off-site facility for your test, you bring a small piece of equipment home with you.
When it’s time for bed, simply affix the belt across your chest and any finger or nose monitors that may be included (kits vary in design). Press the button to begin recording the data, then go to sleep.
Most people tend to feel more relaxed when they’re able to complete their sleep study at home as opposed to sleeping in a strange place. The next morning, turn the machine off and bring it back to have it read and interpreted for a proper diagnosis.
FIND OUT IF ONE IS RIGHT FOR YOU
Do you snore or think you have sleep apnoea? Contact St. Leonards Green Dental today to schedule an appointment to find out if an oral sleep appliance can help.
* Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks. Before proceeding, you should seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner.