Sleep Apnoea in Epping – Specialist Treatment For Patients in NSW
If you frequently wake up gasping or choking then you might have a condition known as sleep apnoea. Epping residents should know that if left untreated, obstructive sleep disorders like sleep apnoea can cause chronic fatigue and potentially life-threatening risks to your health. If you are diagnosed with this condition, then our team of Epping dental specialists here in NSW have a number of advanced treatments that will help you to get a peaceful and healthy night’s sleep
What is Sleep Apnoea?
When we sleep, tissues located in the throat and nasal passages become relaxed. This is normal. However, in cases of sleep apnoea, the tissues in the airway relax so much that they collapse and cause the airway to narrow. This brings about abnormal breathing patterns that you would normally associate with obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA).
In fact, breathing disruptions can last for as long as 10 seconds and this pattern of events can repeat itself between 5-30 times every single hour, all night long.
Common Signs of Sleep Apnoea
Epping residents may already know that constant excessive snoring is one common sign but in addition:
- Waking up gasping for air
- Insomnia
- Chronic fatigue
- Progressive headaches
- Irritability and
- Teeth clenching/grinding
are all signs that you may have sleep apnoea. Unfortunately, these conditions also carry heavy risks and can in certain cases lead to.
- Cardiac arrest
- Strokes
- High blood pressure
- Heart disease
- Fatigue
- Depression and
- Sexual dysfunction
For these reasons, the quicker sleep apnoea is identified and treated, the better.
How a Specialist Epping dentist can help with Obstructive Sleep Apnoea (OSA)
As a Specialist dentist (Prosthodontist) Dr Chang is highly skilled in understanding how the related structures work in the mouth. He is also highly experienced in the use and benefits of oral appliances.
Sometimes referred to as night guards or snore guards, these custom-made anti-snoring appliances (oral appliances for sleep apnoea) are crafted for a comfortable fit and are worn over the teeth at night during sleep.
Our anti-snoring appliances (oral appliances for sleep apnoea) here in Epping NSW, work by gently pushing the jaw and tongue forward, thus keeping your airway open. In doing so, breathing becomes more regular and snoring is dramatically reduced.
While teeth grinding may continue, the mouthguard takes the pressure and prevents the teeth in each jaw from coming into contact with one another.
Long term use of oral appliances can cause changes to the occlusion (bite) and Prosthodontists are recognised specialists for management of the occlusion.
Furthermore, as dental specialists, we also have close working relationships with a number of clinical professionals who can better assist with the root causes of your sleep-related problem.
If you are concerned about your sleeping problems or have recently been diagnosed with sleep apnoea, Epping-based Prime Dental Specialists are on hand to assist.
A proper medical diagnosis of sleep apnoea by a sleep physician is required prior to visiting us for the construction of an OSA oral appliance.
Let us help you on the road to a restful night’s sleep and improved health with specialist dental care.