Snoring and sleep apnoea can affect far more than a good night's sleep. At Eastern Dental Group in Wantirna South, we can help assess whether jaw or airway factors are contributing to your symptoms and talk you through where dental options may fit into your broader care, alongside your GP or sleep physician.
Call (03) 9887 0822Snoring happens when relaxed soft tissue in the throat partially narrows the airway during sleep, causing it to vibrate as air passes through. It's common, and on its own is often more of a nuisance than a medical concern.
A more serious condition where the airway becomes partially or fully blocked during sleep, causing breathing to pause repeatedly, sometimes many times a night. Not everyone who snores has sleep apnoea, but loud, frequent snoring is one of its most common early warning signs.
Many people with sleep apnoea aren't aware of it themselves, since the episodes happen during sleep. A bed partner often notices first.
Witnessed breathing pauses, gasping, or choking during sleep
Loud, persistent snoring
Waking with a dry mouth or sore throat
Morning headaches
Excessive daytime sleepiness
Difficulty concentrating or memory issues
Left unmanaged, obstructive sleep apnoea has been associated with a range of health risks over time, including high blood pressure, an increased risk of heart disease and stroke, irregular heart rhythms, and effects on blood sugar control. Chronic daytime sleepiness from disrupted sleep can also affect concentration and increase the risk of accidents.
Diagnosis requires a formal sleep study, arranged through your GP or a sleep physician. If you recognise the warning signs above, it's worth raising with your doctor.
Jaw position and tongue posture during sleep play a role in airway narrowing, which is why dentists are sometimes involved in the management of snoring and mild to moderate sleep apnoea, usually alongside a GP or sleep physician rather than in isolation.
Where appropriate, a custom-fitted oral appliance, worn at night to gently reposition the lower jaw, may be considered as part of a broader management plan. Speak with our team about whether this is worth exploring for your situation.
Diagnosing sleep apnoea and coordinating overall treatment sits with your GP or a sleep physician. We're happy to discuss dental options and help point you toward the right specialist.
Snoring happens when relaxed soft tissue in the throat partially narrows the airway during sleep, causing it to vibrate. It's common and often just a nuisance. Sleep apnoea is more serious, the airway becomes partially or fully blocked, causing breathing to pause repeatedly during the night. Not everyone who snores has sleep apnoea, but loud, frequent snoring is a common early warning sign.
Snoring occurs when the muscles of the throat and soft palate relax during sleep, narrowing the airway. Factors that can increase snoring include excess weight around the neck, alcohol before bed, sleeping on your back, nasal congestion, enlarged tonsils or adenoids, and age-related loss of muscle tone. Jaw position and tongue posture during sleep play a role too.
Witnessed breathing pauses, gasping, or choking during sleep, loud persistent snoring, waking with a dry mouth or sore throat, morning headaches, excessive daytime sleepiness, and difficulty concentrating. Many people with sleep apnoea aren't aware of it themselves, since the episodes happen during sleep.
Left unmanaged, obstructive sleep apnoea has been associated with a range of health risks over time, including high blood pressure, increased cardiovascular risk, and effects on blood sugar control, as well as daytime sleepiness that can affect concentration and safety. Diagnosis requires a formal sleep study.
Yes. In children, the most common cause is enlarged tonsils or adenoids partially obstructing the airway during sleep. It can affect behaviour, concentration, and school performance. If your child snores loudly or breathes through their mouth during sleep, it's worth raising with your GP or dentist.
Jaw position and tongue posture during sleep play a role in airway narrowing, so dentists are sometimes involved in managing snoring and mild to moderate sleep apnoea, typically with a custom oral appliance used alongside a GP or sleep physician's care. We're happy to discuss whether this may be worth exploring for you and point you toward the right specialist for diagnosis.
Book online, or call us directly on (03) 9887 0822.
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