Snoring & Sleep Apnoea

Over 40% of UK adults snore with 1 in 10 affected by sleep apnoea.

The occasional night of snoring isn’t anything to be concerned about, but if it happens frequently, prevents you from sleeping and affects your breathing it is important to seek help.

If your snoring is linked to sleep apnoea then getting treatment is especially important as it can prevent potentially serious complications and breathing problems.

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Addressing sleep apnoea and snoring

Sleep apnoea is characterised by difficulty breathing while asleep. If left untreated, it can increase the risk of a range of health issues, including:

  • Memory problems
  • Depression
  • Diabetes
  • Fatigue & headaches
  • High blood pressure & cardiovascular strain
  • In children, behaviour issues and poor attention span

Symptoms include loud snoring, sudden awakenings and gasping for air during sleep. Many are unaware they suffer from it. Recent studies also highlight a direct relationship between teeth grinding (bruxism) and sleep apnoea.

Snoring and teeth grinding

People with sleep apnoea often grind their teeth as a subconscious response to open their airway during sleep. Treating sleep apnoea can, therefore, help reduce or eliminate teeth grinding.

Teeth grinding, or bruxism, is the involuntary clenching, grinding, or gnashing of teeth. It often occurs during sleep and can lead to various dental issues, including:

  • Worn down teeth
  • Increased tooth sensitivity
  • Jaw pain or discomfort
  • Headaches
  • Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders

SomnoMed anti-snoring appliances

Our dentists are highly experienced in the diagnosis and treatment of sleep apnoea using SomnoMed anti-snoring appliances.

These custom made, removable devices are designed to treat both snoring and sleep apnoea.

Worn during sleep the oral device holds the lower jaw slightly forward repositioning the jaw and tongue preventing the airway from collapsing thus reducing sleep apnoea.

Helping the wearer achieve a better night’s sleep, and as a consequence, improved oral health and wellbeing.

Sleep Apnoea FAQs

Here are some of the most common questions we get from our patients

Sleep apnoea is a sleep disorder characterised by repeated interruptions in breathing during sleep. The most common type is obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), which occurs when the throat muscles intermittently relax and block the airway leading to reduced oxygen levels and disrupted sleep.

Common symptoms include loud snoring, episodes of stopped breathing during sleep, gasping for air, morning headaches, daytime sleepiness, difficulty focussing or concentrating and a dry mouth or sore throat upon waking.

Untreated sleep apnoea can lead to severe health issues, including high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, diabetes, depression, memory problems, and an increased risk of accidents due to tiredness.

Oral appliances, like the SomnoMed device available at The Dental Works Essex, are custom-made mouthguards that reposition the lower jaw forward, helping to keep the airway open during sleep.