Snoring And Sleep Apnoea
Everyone occasionally snores, especially if they have allergies or a heavy cold. Breathing through your mouth when you sleep can put you at risk of dry mouth, called xerostomia.
Usually, saliva helps to keep your mouth clean, comfortable and fresh, washing away harmful bacteria. If you have xerostomia and breathe through your mouth at night, it increases your risk of dental diseases like tooth decay and gum disease.
When this is the case, our dentists can discuss preventative treatments to help reduce this risk. It may also be worth visiting your GP to see if they can help you stop snoring.
When is Snoring a More Serious Issue?
Sometimes snoring can indicate a more serious problem called obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA).
Unlike snoring, where breathing is regular, OSA is characterised by frequent pauses in breathing. When you sleep, the muscles surrounding the throat relax, allowing the airway to collapse inwards, becoming blocked and causing pauses in breathing.
These pauses can last for several seconds before the brain registers a fall in oxygen levels, prompting the body to restart breathing, often with a loud snort or gasp.
These pauses in breath are not enough to completely awaken the person, but they prevent deep restorative sleep. Someone with OSA can stop breathing multiple times each night and, as a result, will awaken feeling tired and ill-rested. Without treatment, OSA can affect overall health.
How Does OSA Affect General Health?
When someone is permanently tired, it increases the risk of accidents while driving or operating machinery. A lack of sleep can make people feel irritable, and ultimately it can increase the risk of serious health problems.
These include hypertension or high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes and stroke. It can worsen the symptoms of diabetes in people who already have this condition.
How We Can Help Treat Your OSA?
When creating crowns and bridges, we take tremendous care to ensure they look good and function optimally. We can use strong, lifelike porcelains that look as good as natural teeth and will not stain or discolour. Your new crown or bridge should last ten years or more with the right preventative dental care. Good daily oral care, regular check-ups, and hygiene appointments will help ensure they remain in great shape for longer.
