Undiagnosed and untreated sleep apnoea can cause a whole host of health complications, from high blood pressure to kidney issues, so we’re sharing five of the most common symptoms to encourage patients to seek a diagnosis and treatment.
Of course, having signs of sleep apnoea, including snoring, does not mean you have the condition, but we think it’s important to find out.
What Is Obstructive Sleep Apnoea?
Obstructive sleep apnoea causes you to stop breathing during sleep due to airway or oral tissues collapsing against the throat. It can occur several times during the night, depriving your body and its systems of much-needed oxygen.
Over time, breathing cessation can affect your health.
In many cases, doctors prescribe a CPAP machine to treat sleep apnoea, but this is a cumbersome apparatus with a breathing mask. It is not always easy to acclimate to the machine, which is why your dentist in West Lakes offers a potential alternative.
We’ll discuss the mandibular advancement splint later in this blog.
5 Common Signs of Sleep Apnoea
Of course, the most common symptom is snoring, but you can’t hear yourself snore and may not be aware you’re doing it. Additionally, not everyone with sleep apnoea snores. So we recommend looking out for these other common signs.
- Waking Up with Morning Headaches or a Dry Mouth
- Persistent Daytime Fatigue and ‘Brain Fog’
- Mood Changes and Irritability
- Frequent Nighttime Waking or Unrefreshing Sleep
- Teeth Grinding or Clenching (Bruxism) at Night
Managing Sleep Apnoea: The Role of Custom Dental Appliance
If you’re one of the many people who can’t acclimate to the CPAP machine, an oral appliance may offer alternative sleep apnoea treatment.
Our custom dental appliance, worn over the teeth, gently encourages the back of the mouth or throat to remain slightly open, which helps prevent airway collapse during the night. 
Your dentist can assess your sleep apnoea and symptoms to determine whether a custom dental appliance in West Lakes is a suitable option for you.
Your Next Steps: Assessment and Diagnosis
We work closely with sleep professionals to ensure a thorough evaluation of your sleep apnoea. This includes a sleep study and assessment of your jaw and airway risks.
Of course, appliance therapy is not suitable for every patient, and treatment options may vary as a result.
To get started or if you have questions, we welcome your call on (08) 7082 5161.
