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Snoring and Sleep Apnoea Treatment
Improved oral health and better quality sleep
Effective solutions to improve your sleep quality, enhance your overall health, and restore vitality
SBD: Sleep-disordered breathing
Snoring and Sleep Apnoea, more appropriately termed Sleep Disordered Breathing (SDB), describes a narrowing of your air passage during sleep. SBD can cause many systemic health problems, some of these life-threatening if not promptly addressed.
Snoring
During sleep, inconsistent and turbulent airflow will causes the soft tissues at the back of the throat to vibrate, resulting in snoring. This is a common symptom of SDB that can vary in severity from mild to severe. Any degree of snoring is an indicator for further screening, such as taking a sleep test. Snoring is a sign that you are not at your best, and treatment should be sought not only for social benefit (i.e. your sleeping partner), but for your long term health and wellbeing.
Sleep Apnoea
On the next level of severity, sleep apnoea is a more serious form of sleep-disordered breathing. Recurrent breathing interruptions during sleep that generally last for 10 seconds or more are a sign of this condition. Pauses in breathing happen when the airway is partially or completely blocked. Sleep apnoea can be classified into two broad groups:
Obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA): The most prevalent form of sleep apnoea is obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA), which happens when the muscles in the throat relax and obstruct the airway. When the brain senses a shortage of oxygen, it signals the person to wake up momentarily to clear the airway. Usually, there is a feeling of gasping or choking along with this.
Central sleep apnoea (CSA): Central sleep apnoea (CSA) is distinct from OSA because it does not occur due to a physical blockage. Rather, it is characterised by a failure of the brain to send proper signals to the muscles that control breathing. This leads to disrupted breathing patterns while sleeping.
Consequence of snoring and sleep apnoea on oral health
Sleep-disordered breathing, which includes snoring and sleep apnoea, can have a considerable impact on your oral health. Disturbing your body’s ability to receive oxygen and breathe ideally, has been shown to be a key stressor on your brain. The brain’s control over anatomy of your head and neck is then compromised, leading to an array of health concerns:
Bruxism (teeth grinding and clenching): When a person has sleep apnoea or snores, they are more likely to also experience bruxism. Disruptions in breathing patterns during sleep can result in involuntary grinding, clenching, or gnashing of the teeth. Excessive tooth grinding can result in tooth wear, muscle pain, tooth sensitivity, and potentially fractures or cracks in the teeth.
Temporomandibular joint disorders (TMJD): Sleep-disordered breathing can lead to TMJ disorders by putting strain on the jaw muscles and joints. TMJ disorders can result in various symptoms such as jaw pain, clicking or popping sounds in the jaw joint, limited jaw movement, and even headaches or migraines.
Oral and facial pain: Chronic oral and facial pain can be caused by sleep apnoea and snoring. Breathing disruptions and muscle tension can cause discomfort, soreness, and pain in the head, neck, and jaw.
Untreated Sleep Apnoea is also a systemic health concern. Risks include heart disease, sudden cardiac death, stroke, diabetes, elevated blood pressure, fatigue, depression and gastric reflux disease.
Seeking treatment for long-term health benefits
Dr Cipriani is trained to treat snoring and sleep apnoea directly with specialised medical devices, but is also in a unique position to be able to restore the tooth, mouth and jaw factors that may have contributed to your snoring and SDB over time.
It is essential to seek treatment for snoring and sleep apnoea to address the social concerns associated with these conditions, as well as for your long-term health and well-being. Here are some reasons why it is essential to seek treatment:
Overall health risks: Sleep apnoea has a strong connection with multiple serious health conditions, including heart disease, stroke, diabetes, high blood pressure, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and an increased risk of sudden cardiac death. Treating sleep apnoea can help decrease the risks and complications linked to this condition.
Reduced oral health issues: Treating sleep-disordered breathing can help improve oral health implications related to this condition. Treating snoring and sleep apnoea can help effectively manage or prevent bruxism, TMJ disorders, and orofacial pain. This can protect your teeth, gums, and jaw from long-term damage and discomfort.
Enhanced mental well-being: Sleep apnoea and persistent snoring can cause fatigue, changes in mood, irritability, and possibly depression. By addressing these conditions and improving your sleep, you can enhance your mental well-being and emotional stability.
Customised treatment options: Dentists who have received training in treating snoring and sleep apnoea can offer customised treatment options that are tailored to meet your individual needs. They can recommend the most suitable treatment approach to help you achieve optimal results, ranging from oral appliance therapy to combination therapy with CPAP machines.
Improved sleep quality: Snoring and sleep apnoea can significantly disrupt your sleep, leading to poor quality sleep and daytime sleepiness. You can achieve better sleep, feel more refreshed and energised during the day, and improve your overall quality of life by addressing these conditions.
Identifying potential sleep disorders
Snoring may indicate an underlying sleep disorder, such as obstructive sleep apnoea. It may be necessary to conduct further evaluations in order to identify or rule out these conditions. Some possible evaluations could include:
Polysomnography (sleep study): The comprehensive sleep test involves monitoring various physiological parameters while you sleep. These include brain waves, eye movements, muscle activity, heart rate, and breathing patterns. This diagnostic tool helps identify sleep disorders and evaluate the severity of sleep apnoea if it is present.
Home sleep apnoea testing: In some cases, it is possible to conduct a simplified sleep study in the comfort of your own home. While you sleep, you will be wearing a portable device that will measure key parameters such as your breathing, oxygen levels, and the effort you put into breathing. The information provided is important for assessing sleep apnoea.
Dental treatment options for snoring and sleep apnoea
CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure)
CPAP can be highly effective treatment for those with severe sleep apnoea. The process involves using a CPAP machine that administers a continuous flow of pressurised air through a mask worn over the nose, mouth, or both. Pressurised air functions as a pneumatic splint, which helps to keep the airway open while sleeping, thereby preventing breathing pauses and snoring.
Combination therapy (oral appliance + CPAP)
In certain cases, combining oral appliance therapy with CPAP can lead to improved treatment outcomes. Combination therapy is often suggested for patients with moderate to severe sleep apnoea or those who have not experienced adequate improvement with single treatments. The oral appliance enhances the efficiency of CPAP by promoting airway stability and decreasing the need for air pressure.
Customised treatment plans for individual needs
Every patient is different, and their treatment plan should be tailored to meet their specific needs. Treatment plans can be customised based on various factors such as the severity of the condition, anatomical factors, the patient’s preferences, and how they respond to treatment. We can make sure that each patient receives the most effective and comfortable treatment by using a personalised approach.
Oral appliance therapy
Oral appliance treatment provides non-invasive options for addressing snoring and sleep apnoea.
Mandibular Advancement Devices (MAD): These customised oral appliances are designed to position the lower jaw in a calculated manner, and prevent collapse backwards into the airway. This medical device helps open up the airway, maintain breathing, and reduce the symptoms of snoring and sleep apnoea.
Tongue-Retaining Devices: These devices are designed to keep the tongue in a forward position while sleeping, which helps prevent it from obstructing the airway.
Lifestyle modifications and self-care practices
Making certain lifestyle changes and practising good personal care can greatly enhance the treatment of snoring and sleep apnoea. You must take into consideration the following guidelines:
Maintain a healthy weight: Excess body weight can lead to the narrowing of the airways and exacerbate the symptoms of sleep apnoea. You can achieve weight loss, reduce the severity of sleep apnoea, and improve overall sleep quality by following a healthy diet and engaging in regular exercise.
Practise good sleep hygiene: Incorporating good sleep hygiene practices into your routine can improve the effectiveness of treatments for snoring and sleep apnoea. It is recommended to avoid doing stimulating activities, like using electronic devices, before going to sleep. Create a calming routine before bed that tells your body it’s time to relax and prepare for sleep.
Sleep on your side: Sleeping in a supine position or on your back can potentially lead to airway obstruction and snoring. To reduce snoring and sleep apnoea episodes, it is recommended that you sleep on your side to keep your airway open. If you have trouble sleeping on your side, you can use pillows or positional aids.
Elevate the head of your bed: To reduce snoring, you can elevate the head of your bed by using pillows or a wedge-shaped pillow. This can be effective in keeping your airway open. Adjusting sleeping positions can be particularly helpful for individuals who experience mild sleep apnoea or snoring that is related to their sleeping position.
Avoid alcohol and sedatives: Alcohol and sedatives can cause the muscles in the throat to become more relaxed. This can make snoring and sleep apnoea worse by further obstructing the airway. It is recommended to limit or avoid drinking alcohol and taking sedative medications, especially before going to bed.
Manage stress: Stress can negatively impact the quality of sleep and make snoring and sleep apnoea symptoms worse. You may want to think about adding stress management techniques to your daily routine. These can include deep breathing exercises, meditation, yoga, or other activities that help you relax and enjoy yourself.
Establish a regular sleep routine: Maintaining a consistent sleep schedule can improve the quality of your sleep and help regulate your body’s internal clock. To establish a healthy sleep-wake cycle, it is advised to maintain a regular bedtime and wake-up time, even on weekends.
Quit smoking: Smoking can irritate the airways, which can lead to inflammation and an increased risk of developing sleep apnoea. When you quit smoking, it can lead to better respiratory health, decreased airway inflammation, and improved sleep quality and overall health.
Create a sleep-friendly environment: Transform your bedroom into a tranquil and cosy atmosphere that encourages peaceful and rejuvenating sleep. To create a comfortable environment, make sure the room is kept cool, dark, and quiet. To minimise external disturbances, it may be helpful to use earplugs, eye masks, or white noise machines.
Regular exercise: Engaging in regular physical activity can provide numerous benefits for managing sleep apnoea. Regular exercise can help with weight management, improve cardiovascular health, and enhance the quality of sleep. However, you should avoid doing intense physical activity close to bedtime because it can interfere with your sleep.
Do you or your partner snore? Are you looking for ways to sleep better at night?
If you or your partner snore, have moments where you stop breathing, gasp or choke while sleeping, feel excessively restless at night, or experience daytime sleepiness, it could be a good idea to discuss it with Dr Cipriani.
Dr Cipriani is trained to treat snoring and sleep apnoea and has been involved in patient care in this field for over a decade. He is also able to offer innovative treatments, such as Bite Correction dentistry and Facelift Dentistry, which can address and reverse tooth, mouth, or jaw issues that may have contributed to your snoring and sleep-disordered breathing over time.
Positive change starts with a conversation. Functional dentistry can elevate your quality of life and health, so let’s work together to develop your ideal solution.