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Dimos Dental & Facial Aesthetics > General Dentistry > Snoring & Sleep Apnoea

A good night's sleep is important for your oral health and general well-being. If you're not getting the rest you need, there may be a reason why.

Sleep Apnoea patient sleeping in his bed

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Snoring & Sleep Apnoea Treatment in Melbourne's CBD

Snoring causes disrupted sleep for the snorer and more often than not, their partner too. Unfortunately for the snorer, this may also be a sign that they suffer from a more threatening condition called Obstructive Sleep Apnoea (OSA).

Snoring

While you sleep, your muscles relax including those that control the tongue and throat. As these soft tissues relax, it narrows and constricts the airway which inhibits normal breathing.

OSA

Occurs when the airway closes off during sleep and breathing completely stops. When this happens, blood oxygen levels drop, blood pressure rises and the heart slows. This is the body’s natural defense mechanism to help conserve diminishing oxygen, until your blood sensors detect that you are in danger and partially wakes you from sleep so you can take a breath. During this short outburst of taking a breath, your heart races, you over-inhale, and the blood pressure continues to rise.

When the body drifts off to sleep again, the same sequence is repeated over and over again throughout the night.

OSA- It's more than just a bad nights sleep

OSA affects your sleep, health and ultimately your quality of life. As many as 80% of people with sleep apnoea don’t even know they have it, and the incidence of OSA only increases as we get older.

Weight gain also plays a big role.

Sleep apnoea has been associated with many common health problems including:

High blood pressure
High cholesterol
Metabolic syndrome
Diabetes (Type II)
Weight gain and obesity
Gastric reflux
Glaucoma and macular degeneration
Headaches
Neck and jaw pain
Depression and anxiety
Alzheimer’s disease and dementia

It’s no wonder people with sleep apnoea are at a heightened risk of dying from heart attack or stroke. Sleep apnoea can take years, if not decades, off of your life.

Undiagnosed snoring or OSA is tricky to treat considering you may not even know you’re doing it. Luckily, OSA is easily screened for and can be well-managed, but unfortunately many people don’t seek treatment for snoring or sleep apnoea because;

Of the misconception that it’s “just” snoring, and it’s ‘’nothing serious’’
They don’t want to have to wear a CPAP mask
The CPAP machine is too noisy, uncomfortable and difficult to travel with

If you suspect yourself or your partner suffer from snoring or OSA, the team at Dimos Dental is here to help.

sleep apnoea graphic

Frequently Asked Questions

How is sleep apnoea treated?

There are 2 common methods used to treat sleep apnoea;

1. Somnomed- often prescribed for mild-moderate sleep apnoea patients, the device works by moving the jaw and tongue forward during sleep to open the airways.

2. CPAP machine- often prescribed for severe sleep apnoea patients, the machine pumps pressurised air through the nose and/or mouth to prevent the collapse of the airway.

A sleep test is required to determine which method would be most effective.

How is sleep apnoea diagnosed?

An overnight sleep study is usually recommended to aid in the diagnosis of sleep disorders.

Such studies monitor breathing, blood oxygen and quality of sleep.

This can be achieved in a clinical environment, or even in the comfort of your own home.

Here at Dimos Dental we can provide a take-home kit to test for sleep apnoea, after which we discuss results during a consultation appointment.

Appropriate treatment will be advised depending on individual results.

How can a dentist help with snoring?

Dentists can help to diagnose and treat sleeping disorders in several ways:

Identifying the cause of your snoring: They'll examine your mouth, jaw, and airway to pinpoint potential factors contributing to your snoring.
Oral appliances: Dentists can design custom-made oral appliances that gently open your airway during sleep, reducing or eliminating snoring.
Sleep apnoea diagnosis and treatment: If they suspect sleep apnoea, dentists can offer in-house diagnosis options, like sleep studies, and recommend appropriate treatments, which may include oral appliances as well as other options.

Does laser treatment for snoring work?

Laser treatments for snoring have mixed results. Some patients might experience a temporary reduction in snoring. However, laser treatments don't address the underlying cause of snoring and often aren't a long-term solution. It's best to consult with a dentist specialising in sleep disorders to explore more effective options for your situation.

What is the best treatment for snoring?

The best snoring treatment depends on the severity and the underlying cause. Here are common approaches:

Lifestyle changes: Weight loss, quitting smoking, and avoiding alcohol before bed can help in mild cases.
Oral appliances: A go-to choice for many patients, custom-made by a dentist.
CPAP therapy: Continuous Positive Airway Pressure is the gold standard for sleep apnea but can be helpful for some cases of snoring.
Surgery: In certain cases, surgery might be needed to address anatomical blockages.

Meet Our Team:

Dr Christopher Dimos
Principal Dentist- BDSc (Melb), FIADFE

Chris was born in Melbourne and graduated as a dentist from the University of Melbourne in 1986. Having commenced clinical practice on Collins St in 1989, he has been a Melbourne CBD dental practitioner for over 30 years. Chris is personally interested in cosmetic and restorative dentistry, especially in the field of implants. His other passion lies in the area of facial aesthetics, of which he has been a speaker and trainer. Chris is committed to continuing education and ...