The common signs of obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) are loud snoring, breathing that stops and restarts during sleep, waking up unrefreshed, morning headaches and heavy daytime sleepiness. Obstructive sleep apnoea is the same condition as obstructive sleep apnoea, which is simply the American spelling, and it is shortened to OSA. Only a sleep study can confirm it, but if someone has watched you stop breathing in your sleep, that is the sign worth acting on first.
In this guide, we will explore the signs and symptoms of sleep apnoea, the causes behind the condition, and how you can take control of your health with the right treatments at DP Dental.
What is Sleep Apnoea? Understanding the Basics
Sleep apnoea is a condition that causes interruptions in breathing during sleep. There are three types of sleep apnoea, but obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) is the most common. OSA occurs when the muscles at the back of the throat relax too much during sleep, causing the airway to collapse or become blocked, leading to brief pauses in breathing. These breathing interruptions can happen dozens or even hundreds of times during the night, preventing you from reaching restorative stages of sleep.
While many people are unaware of the breathing pauses, the body feels the effects, leading to symptoms such as daytime fatigue, poor concentration, and irritability. Recognising these signs early means they can be assessed and managed before they affect your wider health.
How Do I Know if I Have Sleep Apnoea
If you suspect you might have sleep apnoea, there are several key symptoms to watch out for. Here are the most common signs that could indicate the presence of sleep apnoea:
- Loud Snoring: Snoring is one of the most common symptoms, though not everyone who snores has sleep apnoea.
- Breathing Interruptions: You may gasp, choke, or snort during the night, often noticed by a bed partner.
- Daytime Fatigue: Despite a full night’s sleep, you might feel exhausted during the day due to poor sleep quality.
- Morning Headaches: Poor oxygen intake during the night can cause headaches upon waking.
- Poor Concentration: Sleep apnoea affects brain function, making it difficult to focus during the day.
If any of these symptoms sound familiar, it may be time to seek a professional evaluation for sleep apnoea.
Why Choose DP Dental for Your Sleep Apnoea Treatment?
At DP Dental, we offer a unique approach to treating sleep apnoea that goes beyond just addressing symptoms. Our care model brings together the dental and the medical sides of the problem.
- Collaborative Care: Our team includes dentists who work closely with ENT doctors, cardiologists, and other medical professionals. This ensures a well-rounded treatment plan that addresses both the symptoms and underlying causes of sleep apnoea.
- Personalised, Non-Invasive Solutions: We provide comfortable alternatives to traditional treatments like CPAP machines. Instead, we offer mandibular advancement devices (MADs) and oral appliance therapy, which reposition the jaw to keep your airway open while you sleep
MADs are supported by scientific evidence and are endorsed by reputable organisations such as the American Dental Association (ADA). These devices offer a non-invasive, comfortable, and portable alternative to traditional CPAP machines.
A MAD is worn only at night, needs no power supply and travels easily, which is why some people who cannot tolerate CPAP ask about one. Whether it suits you depends on your diagnosis and the severity of your OSA.
- Holistic Approach: We go a step further with myofunctional therapy, a treatment that strengthens the muscles around your mouth and jaw to improve your sleep quality and long-term stability.
We look at what is narrowing the airway in the first place, such as jaw position, tongue posture and breathing habit, rather than at the snoring alone. DP Dental has in-house clinicians trained in Dental Sleep Medicine.
Dr. Yue Weng Cheu, Founder and Group Clinical Director of DP Dental, has completed two mini-residency programs on Dental Sleep Medicine at Tufts University School of Medicine. That training informs how we assess the airway and jaw position, and how we judge whether an oral appliance is appropriate in a given case.
Risk Factors That May Increase the Likelihood of Obstructive Sleep Apnoea
There are several risk factors that can increase the likelihood of developing obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA). If you have any of the following conditions or traits, you may be more at risk for sleep apnoea:
- Mouth Breathing: Breathing through the mouth during sleep can block your airways.
- Poor Tongue Posture: If your tongue rests too low in the mouth, it can obstruct your airway.
- Weight Issues: Being either overweight or very thin can increase the chances of developing OSA.
- Enlarged Tonsils: Larger tonsils can obstruct airflow, especially in children.
- Jaw & Face Shape: A small or receding lower jaw or a long/narrow face can narrow your airway.
- Mouth & Teeth Issues: Crooked teeth, high roof of the mouth, or bite problems like an overbite or open bite can lead to breathing difficulties.
- Short Tongue Tie: A short string under the tongue can limit tongue movement, affecting airflow.
- High Blood Pressure: Often linked to sleep apnoea, high blood pressure can worsen symptoms and increase your risk.
How Sleep Apnoea Affects Your Health
If left untreated, sleep apnoea can have severe and wide-ranging effects on your overall health. The repeated interruptions in breathing during sleep not only disrupt your rest but also deprive your body of much-needed oxygen, which can result in numerous serious health complications.
If you are wondering, “How do I know if I have sleep apnoea?”, understanding how it affects your health can help you recognise the urgency of getting treatment. Here’s how sleep apnoea can negatively impact your health:
Increased Risk of Cardiovascular Disease
One of the most significant consequences of untreated sleep apnoea is its impact on the cardiovascular system. The frequent drops in blood oxygen levels caused by breathing interruptions can lead to high blood pressure (hypertension), a major risk factor for heart disease and stroke.
Over time, the stress placed on the heart and blood vessels increases, making it harder for the body to maintain proper circulation. In severe cases, sleep apnoea can even cause heart arrhythmias (irregular heartbeats) and contribute to the development of congestive heart failure.
Sleep apnoea symptoms such as pauses in breathing and snoring can worsen the condition, leading to an increase in blood pressure and strain on the heart. The repeated lack of oxygen during sleep causes strain on the heart, raising the risk of heart attack and stroke.
Impact on Mental Health
The impact of sleep apnoea extends beyond physical health. Chronic sleep deprivation caused by the frequent breathing interruptions can significantly affect your mental health. As your body and brain fail to get the quality rest they need, the likelihood of developing mood disorders increases. Sleep apnoea is closely linked to:
- Depression: The constant fatigue and frustration of poor-quality sleep can lead to feelings of sadness, hopelessness, and irritability.
- Anxiety: Ongoing sleep disturbances can make it difficult to regulate emotions, leading to heightened levels of anxiety and stress.
- Irritability and Mood Swings: Lack of restorative sleep impairs cognitive function and emotional regulation, making it harder to cope with everyday stresses.
If you are experiencing sleep apnoea symptoms, including irritability and mental exhaustion, it’s crucial to seek help. Untreated sleep apnoea is one of the leading contributors to poor mental health, and it is important to recognise and address these effects as soon as possible.
Weakened Immune System
A healthy immune system relies on quality sleep to function properly. When sleep apnoea deprives you of restorative sleep, your immune system’s ability to fight off infections and illnesses is significantly weakened. Sleep apnoea increases the risk of:
- Frequent infections: Your body struggles to combat viruses and bacteria due to decreased immune function.
- Chronic illnesses: People with sleep apnoea are more prone to developing chronic conditions such as diabetes and obesity, which further tax the immune system.
- Delayed recovery: If you do fall ill, your recovery time is lengthened as your body struggles to repair itself without enough sleep.
If you’re wondering about sleep apnoea causes, poor sleep is often a significant contributing factor to a weakened immune system. By addressing the sleep apnoea symptoms early, you can protect your body’s defences.
Higher Risk of Accidents
One of the most immediate dangers of sleep apnoea is the increased likelihood of accidents due to daytime fatigue and drowsiness. Since sleep apnoea causes frequent waking throughout the night, it prevents you from entering deeper, restorative sleep stages. As a result, individuals with untreated sleep apnoea often experience:
- Excessive daytime sleepiness: This can make it difficult to stay alert and focused, leading to a higher risk of accidents, particularly when driving or operating heavy machinery.
- Impaired cognitive function: Sleep deprivation affects memory, concentration, and decision-making, making it harder to perform tasks that require focus, such as driving or working.
- Workplace accidents: The inability to concentrate or stay awake at work can result in mistakes and accidents, particularly in high-risk environments.
If you are experiencing sleep apnoea symptoms such as excessive daytime sleepiness, it is crucial to address these concerns as early as possible to avoid dangerous accidents.
Diagnosis of Sleep Apnoea
Diagnosing sleep apnoea is essential for getting the right treatment. There are several diagnostic options available:
- Home Sleep Apnea Testing (HSAT): You can test for sleep apnoea from the comfort of your own home. HSATs are convenient, non-invasive, and reliable.
- Polysomnography (Sleep Study): This is a more detailed sleep study conducted in a medical facility to measure brain waves, oxygen levels, heart rate, and muscle activity during sleep.
- Apnoea-Hypopnoea Index (AHI): the score a sleep study reports. It is the average number of times per hour that your breathing stops or becomes shallow. Below 5 is considered normal, 5 to 14 is mild, 15 to 29 is moderate, and 30 or above is severe. Your AHI is what a clinician uses to decide whether an oral appliance is a reasonable option for you.
- Importance of Early Diagnosis: Getting a diagnosis sooner means treatment can start sooner.
Sleep Apnoea Treatment Options at DP Dental
Treating sleep apnoea is essential not only for better sleep but also for your long-term health. While CPAP machines are commonly prescribed, many patients prefer non-invasive treatments that are more comfortable. DP Dental offers several alternatives, including:
- Oral Appliance Therapy: Custom mandibular advancement devices (MADs) are designed to reposition your jaw during sleep, keeping your airway open.
We fit devices such as the ProSomnus EVO™ and the SomnoDent Avant™, each custom-made from a scan of your own teeth.
- ProSomnus EVO™: A custom-fitted device that helps maintain an open airway, improving sleep quality and reducing snoring.
- SomnoDent Avant™: This oral appliance gently advances the lower jaw to improve airflow and reduce sleep apnoea symptoms.
- ProSomnus EVO™: A custom-fitted device that helps maintain an open airway, improving sleep quality and reducing snoring.
- Myofunctional Therapy: This therapy focuses on correcting improper muscle function and breathing patterns, helping to improve airflow and reduce sleep apnoea symptoms.
- Clear Aligner Treatment: When the root cause of sleep apnoea is related to misaligned teeth or narrow jaws, DP Dental offers clear aligner treatment. By addressing these structural issues, we can improve airway function and reduce symptoms of sleep apnoea.
Speak to Us About Your Sleep
If you recognise these symptoms in yourself, or someone has told you that you stop breathing at night, we can talk through what is happening and whether a sleep study is the right next step. Call us on 6219 3082, WhatsApp us on 8128 6913, or book a consultation online.
