Snoring & sleep apnoea

Snoring is a condition that affects 44% of men and 28% of women. During normal sleep, the muscles which control the tongue and soft palate hold the airway open. If these muscles relax, the airway becomes narrower, partially blocking off the air passage. Breathing in causes the soft or floppy part of the throat to vibrate, making the noise of snoring.

If the throat is particularly narrow, or the muscles relax too much, the airway can become completely blocked, preventing breathing. This condition is known as obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA).
The following conditions may indicate that you or a loved one suffers from sleep apnoea:

• Excessive daytime tiredness
• Poor memory function
• Headaches
• Fatigue
• High Blood Pressure
• Snoring
• Depression
• Short concentration

A number of serious chronic diseases have been directly associated with snoring and sleep apnoea, including stroke, high blood pressure (hypertension), heart attack (myocardial infarction), hardening of the arteries (arteriosclerosis), irregular heartbeat/ pulse (cardiac arrhythmias) and diabetes.

At Green Apple Dentistry we work closely with medical specialists to create Mandibular Advancement Splints which are used to treat both snoring and sleep apnoea. These are a dental appliance fitted inside the mouth to prevent the airways from collapsing during sleep.

If you are suffering from snoring or sleep apnoea and would like to discuss treatment options, then please contact our experienced team at Green Apple Dentistry to arrange a consultation.