What is Sleep Apnoea?
When we sleep at night, our body controls our breathing automatically so we can have a restorative, deep and peaceful sleep. During sleep, various parts of our body work together to allow us to breathe easily and automatically. For some, our throat muscles can become too relaxed during sleep. When the throat muscles are too relaxed, the airways become narrow as you breathe in. This will usually produce a snoring sound as air tries to travel through narrowed airways.
A partial or complete obstruction to our airway causes breathing to decline or stop completely for a short time, this is called an episode.
When our body can’t get the air it needs during an episode, our brain receives a message that something is wrong. When this happens, the brain will arouse itself from sleep for a few seconds. When this occurs (sometimes hundreds of times in one night) it results in broken sleep so we can wake up feeling tired. Our body didn’t have the peaceful, deep, and restorative quality sleep it needed. We are usually unaware when this happens.
Try these questions:
- Have you been told that you snore?
- Do you often wake up tired or unrefreshed?
- Do you suffer from excessive daytime sleepiness?
- Do you wake up choking or gasping for air?
- Do you have trouble with concentration/memory?
- Do you suffer from a dry mouth or headache upon waking?
- Do you need to get up to go the toilet frequently at night?
- Do you suffer from irritability or mood changes?
- Do you suffer from depression or anxiety?
If you have answered yes to any of these symptoms you may be suffering from a sleep disorder such as Obstructive Sleep Apnoea
There are many types of sleep disorders, but the one most associated with snoring is Obstructive Sleep Apnoea or OSA for short. Millions of people worldwide suffer from sleep apnoea, where breathing repeatedly stops and starts during sleep. If you suffer from problem snoring, or obstructive sleep apnoea, we offer solutions that are affordable and convenient to use.
We offer two proven systems for mild to moderate Obstructive Sleep Apnoea, SomnoMed and Oventus. No matter which system you decide is right for you, both offer portable, small and convenient devices that match the exact shape and contours of your mouth so you can breathe better, snore less and get a better night’s sleep.
How does SomnoDent® by SomnoMed® work?
SomnoDent® range of devices are used to treat sleep apnoea with the COAT™ (Continuous Open Airway Therapy) system or by moving your lower jaw forward into a comfortable position, relaxing tissues at the back of the throat as well as ensuring your tongue does not block your airway.
Their range of devices are custom fit for superior comfort, allowing normal mouth opening, speech, and drinking. The device is easily adjustable, safe, and effective for nightly use.
How does Oventus work?
The key to the Oventus system is the unique air channel that ensures breathing is maintained whilst gently moving the lower jaw forward. Because the Oventus device is perfectly tailored to your teeth and mouth it ensures an almost perfect seal to guide air smoothly to the back of the airway.
The Oventus sleep device is an innovative piece of technology that’s compact and very easy to fit, use and look after. Helping to keep the airways clear and encourage breathing through both the nose and mouth air is directed straight where it’s needed. And because the lower jaw is moved slightly forward this helps increase the passageway and reduce obstruction.
Do you want a better nights sleep?
Do you want to stop snoring?
Do you want to wake refreshed and ready to take on the day?
Don’t wait, book in today with one of our friendly Dentists to see how we can help you get the restorative sleep you deserve. Book now at any participating practice* online or over the phone.
*Participating practices are: Toowoomba, Upper Ross, Cammeray, Rockhampton, Morayfield and Springfield Lakes Central Dentists.
