Sleep Apnoea and Dental Health: What Your Dentist Can Do

Sleep apnoea is a prevalent and potentially serious sleep disorder characterised by repeated interruptions in breathing during sleep. These interruptions, known as apnoea and hypopnoea, can last from a few seconds to over a minute and occur due to the collapse of the airway. While sleep apnoea is often associated with snoring, fatigue, and other health issues, its connection to dental health is frequently overlooked. At Future Dental, we recognise the crucial role dentists play in diagnosing and managing sleep apnoea. Here’s how your dentist can help you with sleep apnoea and improve your overall health.

Understanding Sleep Apnoea

Obstructive Sleep Apnoea (OSA) is the most common type of sleep apnoea, where the airway becomes blocked during sleep. This blockage is typically caused by the relaxation of the throat muscles and the tongue dropping backwards, leading to a decrease in oxygen levels in the blood and prompting the brain to wake you up to resume breathing. This cycle can repeat hundreds of times at night, resulting in fragmented sleep and a range of health issues, including heart attack, stroke, difficult-to-control hypertension, heart disease, diabetes, dementia, cognitive decline, erectile dysfunction, loss of libido, and depression. It greatly increases the risk of accidents.

The Dental Connection

Many people are surprised to learn that dentists can play a significant role in the detection and treatment of sleep apnoea. Dental professionals are uniquely positioned to identify signs of sleep apnoea during routine examinations. Here are some ways your dentist can help:

Screening and Diagnosis

During regular dental check-ups, dentists can identify physical signs that may indicate sleep apnoea, such as worn tooth surfaces from grinding (bruxism), a small jaw, an enlarged tongue, and silent reflux. These signs can prompt further investigation and referral for a diagnostic sleep test, or even to a sleep specialist for a definitive diagnosis.

Oral Appliances

One of the most effective treatments for mild to moderate sleep apnoea is the use of oral appliances, specifically Mandibular Advancement Splints (MAS). These devices are custom-made to fit your mouth and work by repositioning the lower jaw forward, which helps keep the airway open during sleep. At Future Dental, we offer high-quality MAS devices from leading manufacturers like o2Vent OPTIMA. These appliances are comfortable, easy to use, and have shown excellent results in improving sleep apnoea symptoms.

Collaboration with Sleep Specialists

Dentists often work closely with ENT specialists, Myofunctional therapists and sleep specialists to ensure a comprehensive approach to treating sleep apnoea. Following the diagnosis, the dentist and sleep specialist can collaborate on the best treatment plan for you.

The ENT specialist is often involved in establishing good nasal breathing.

Continuous Monitoring and Adjustments

After receiving an oral appliance, ongoing follow-up appointments with your dentist are crucial to ensure the device fits correctly and is effective in reducing apnoea. Your dentist can make the necessary adjustments to improve comfort and efficacy, ensuring you get the best possible results from your treatment.

The Benefits of Dental Involvement

Incorporating dental care into the management of sleep apnoea offers several benefits:

• Improved Sleep Quality: By effectively managing sleep apnoea with oral appliances, patients can experience significant improvements in sleep quality, leading to better overall quality of life, health and well-being.
• Enhanced Overall Health: Treating sleep apnoea can reduce the risk of serious health conditions such as cardiovascular disease, stroke, and diabetes.
• Convenience and Comfort: Oral appliances are a convenient and non-invasive treatment option compared to Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) machines. They are easier to travel with and generally more comfortable for patients.
• Comprehensive Care: Dentists can provide a holistic approach to health by addressing both dental issues and sleep apnoea, ensuring that patients receive comprehensive care.

Sleep apnoea is a condition that requires timely and effective treatment to prevent serious health complications. Dentists play a key role in the detection and management of sleep apnoea, offering solutions that can significantly improve patients’ quality of life. At Future Dental, we are dedicated to providing advanced and personalised care to help you manage sleep apnoea and achieve better overall health. If you suspect you or a loved one may have sleep apnoea, contact us today to schedule a consultation and take the first step towards a healthier, more restful sleep.