Sleep apnoea is a sleep-breathing disorder that can be treated with the help of a dental professional and sleep specialist. Sleep apnoea is a condition commonly characterised by lapses in breathing during sleep.
Oftentimes, someone may not even realise they have sleep apnoea symptoms until a sleeping partner or loved one alerts them to their snoring or breathing issues at bedtime.
Without proper management, sleep apnoea can increase the risk of health conditions, such as hypertension, stroke, chronic fatigue and more. Fortunately, Dr Wong and our team at GC Implant Dental offer customised solutions to controlling sleep apnoea symptoms.
Sleep Apnoea Symptoms
Sleep apnoea symptoms often include snoring loudly and feeling tired even after a whole night's sleep. Obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) occurs when something blocks the airway and prevents normal, consistent breathing.
People may also experience:
- Excessive daytime sleepiness
- Insomnia
- Sleep deprivation
- Depression
- Dry mouth
- Sore throat
- Fatigue
- Headache
- Irritability
- Mood swings
- Weight gain
If you or your sleeping partner experience any of these symptoms, we encourage you to arrange an appointment with our dental clinic.
Screening for Sleep Apnoea
To determine if you are at risk for obstructive sleep apnoea, we start with a thorough oral health examination. Dr Wong checks the condition of your mouth, tongue, throat, soft oral tissues and neck. He may take x-rays and intraoral images for a more detailed view of your mouth and surrounding structures.
Dr Wong will also ask you a series of questions about your sleeping habits, symptoms, concerns and medical history.
We work with skilled sleep specialists who administer at-home or overnight clinical studies to diagnose OSA accurately. A sleep study determines whether sleep apnoea is present, its severity and other important information about one's sleep and breathing patterns.
The sleep specialist uses this information to create a personalised treatment plan with your dentist.
Sleep Apnoea Treatment in Booragoon
Common sleep apnoea treatments include continuous positive air pressure therapy (CPAP) or continuous open airway therapy (COAT). Because CPAP therapy requires a facemask, many patients prefer COAT to manage mild to moderate OSA.
With COAT, we create customised oral appliances to gently open the airway, so they sleep uninterrupted by OSA.
If you suspect you might have sleep apnoea, we encourage you to contact our Booragoon dental clinic today to seek a solution.