The risk is greatest for those:
- Over 40
- Male
- Overweight
- Large tonsils, large tongue or small jaw
- Nasal obstructions, chronic sinusitis, allergic rhinitis, deviated septum
Sleep Apnoea is a common and serious disorder that happens when your regular breathing is affected during sleep. The most common form is called Obstructive Sleep Apnoea. It is the result of blocked airflow during sleep, usually due to the collapse of the soft tissue at the back of the throat. Snoring is common among patients with sleep apnoea but not all snorers have sleep apnoea. Health factors such as obesity, neck circumference and age may contribute to the development of obstructive sleep apnoea.
If left untreated, sleep apnoea can lead to a number of serious health problems including:
- High blood pressure
- Stroke
- Heart failure
- Irregular heart beats
- Diabetes
- Constant drowsiness and inability to concentrate during the day
A method of treatment obstructive sleep apnoea is with oral appliances. Certain appliances help shift the lower jaw forward to prevent the airway from collapsing. Research have shown that oral appliances can successfully treat obstructive sleep apnoea in mild to moderate cases. If you think you have sleep apnoea, make sure to talk to your dentist and doctor for more information and possible evaluation with a sleep physician.
Australian Dental Care Centre
Australian Dental Care Centre was founded in 2008 and has been putting patients first ever since. We dare to be different to other dental clinics by throwing out old- fashioned traditional forms of dentistry and using fresh, innovative ways to care for our patients.
