Snoring & Sleep Apnoea

What is Snoring?

When you breathe in through your mouth while asleep, air flows over the tissues in your upper palate and your throat. When your airways are narrowed due to the muscles relaxing during sleep, this results in a more turbulent airflow over these tissues, causing them to vibrate and creating that characteristic snoring sound. Anyone can snore and it can be more common after drinking alcohol, when taking certain medications or after a viral illness. Snoring can often be treated with a custom made dental appliance, please contact One Smile for further information.

What is Sleep Apnoea?

Most people will occasionally snore, but sleep apnoea is very different and can be harmful to your health. Unlike snoring, sleep apnoea is characterised by frequent pauses in breath that can last for several seconds before the body is prompted to restart breathing, often with a loud snort or gasp. The most common form of sleep apnoea is called Obstructive Sleep Apnoea (OSA) and is caused by the throat muscles relaxing during sleep, allowing the airway to collapse, resulting in it becoming partially or completely blocked.

How Does This Affect General Health?

OSA can interrupt sleep hundreds of times a night and while you might not completely awaken, it is sufficient to prevent deep restful sleep. As a result, people with OSA will often feel excessively sleepy during the day and are at increased risk of high blood pressure, stroke or heart attacks.

How is OSA Treated?

Mild to moderate OSA can often be successfully treated with a special night splint that can be custom-made for you here at One Smile. This works by comfortably putting your jaw into a slightly forwards position, preventing your tongue from falling backwards towards your throat and helping to hold your airway open during sleep.

All patients are recommended to have a sleep study where your sleeping patterns can be monitored in a sleep clinic.

Make an appointment online or call us on (03) 9887 4539 in Wantirna South, on (03) 9886 7551 in Glen Waverley and on (03) 8794 9777 in Narre Warren.

Our practices are located at 3 Rezes St, Wantirna South VIC 3152, 228 Springvale Rd, Glen Waverley VIC 3150 and 5/2-8 Victor Cres, Narre Warren VIC 3805.