Rest Easier with Oracare

SLEEP APNOEA

Let our team guide you towards restful, healthy sleep with our tailored sleep apnoea treatments.

A Good Night’s Sleep Is Not A Luxury

Sleep apnoea is a prevalent and serious sleep disorder that often goes undiagnosed.

It is a condition that not only disrupts sleep patterns but can also have significant implications for overall health if left untreated. As dental professionals, our team at Oracare are uniquely positioned to identify and address issues related to sleep apnoea.

We aim to raise awareness about sleep apnoea, its symptoms, causes, and treatment options, to improve the sleep quality and overall health of our patients.

What is Sleep Apnoea?

Sleep apnoea is a condition where breathing repeatedly stops and starts during sleep.

The most common form is obstructive sleep apnoea, which occurs when throat muscles intermittently relax and block the airway during sleep. This can cause a drop in oxygen levels in the blood, leading to disrupted sleep as the body jolts awake to resume breathing.

People suffering from sleep apnoea might not even realise they have it. It’s often recognised by others witnessing the individual struggling to breathe during sleep or by a person feeling unrefreshed after waking, despite having a full night’s sleep.

What Causes Sleep Apnoea?

Obstructive sleep apnoea results when the muscles in the back of your throat relax excessively. These muscles support the soft palate, the triangular piece of tissue hanging from the soft palate (uvula), the tonsils, the side walls of the throat and the tongue.

When the muscles relax, your airway narrows or closes as you breathe in, leading to inadequate breath intake. This situation lowers the level of oxygen in your blood. Your brain senses this inability to breathe and briefly rouses you from sleep so that you can reopen your airway. This awakening is usually so brief that you don’t remember it. Risk factors for sleep apnoea include excess weight, a thicker neck circumference, a narrowed airway, being male, older age, family history, use of alcohol or sedatives, and smoking.

Symptoms of Sleep Apnoea

Symptoms of sleep apnoea can be subtle or obvious and may include:

  • loud snoring

  • gasping or choking during sleep

  • excessive daytime sleepiness

  • morning headaches

  • difficulty concentrating

  • irritability and mood changes

  • high blood pressure

It is crucial to note that snoring is common in sleep apnoea, but not everyone who snores has sleep apnoea. Likewise, not everyone with sleep apnoea snores. So, if you have any of these symptoms, particularly if they are affecting your quality of life, it’s worth getting checked.

How Can I Treat My Sleep Apnoea?

At Oracare, we understand that quality sleep is essential for your overall well-being. One of the treatments we offer to address sleep apnoea is the Mandibular Advancement Device (MAD). This is a custom-made oral appliance worn at night which repositions the lower jaw and tongue to keep the airway open during sleep, thereby alleviating sleep apnoea symptoms.

Do I Need To Treat Sleep Apnoea?

It’s important to treat sleep apnoea because untreated sleep apnoea can lead to a host of serious health issues such as high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and mental health issues.

Moreover, untreated sleep apnoea can lead to poor performance in everyday activities such as work or school and an increased risk of accidents due to excessive daytime fatigue. It’s not just a matter of quality of life; it’s a matter of health and safety as well.

Book A Sleep Apnoea Consultation in Thornlands

Are you struggling with disrupted sleep or do you suspect you may have sleep apnoea? Don’t let another restless night go by. Our team is here to help diagnose and provide treatment options tailored to your needs. Book a consultation with our team to discuss your symptoms and explore the right treatment for you.

Remember, a good night’s sleep is not a luxury – it’s a necessity for overall health and well-being.

Our Services

At Oracare Dental & Facial Aesthetics, we offer a diverse range of treatments and services designed to cater to your unique dental and aesthetic needs. From emergency dental care to preventative measures, aesthetic procedures to major dentistry, and specialised facial aesthetics – we have got you covered.

Comprehensive Dental Care

  • Gum disease, medically known as periodontal disease, is an inflammatory condition that negatively impacts the gums and other supporting structures of the teeth. Learn more

  • Root canal therapy, also known as endodontic treatment, is a dental procedure targeted at preserving a tooth that has been severely compromised due to decay or injury. This treatment aims to alleviate pain, eliminate infection and preserve the natural tooth structure. Learn more

General Dentistry

  • A dental filling is a widely used restorative procedure. When a tooth becomes damaged by decay or fracture, it’s necessary to remove the affected part of the tooth to prevent further complications. Learn more

  • A routine check-up and clean is the first step to maintaining a healthy smile; prevention is far more effective at saving you time and money in the long run. Seeing your dentist twice yearly for a check-up and clean is recommended. Learn more

  • A night splint, also known as an occlusal splint or a night guard, is a specially tailored dental appliance worn over your teeth to guard them against teeth grinding (bruxism), clenching and temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders. It’s a comfortable, non-invasive solution to protect your health while you sleep. Learn more

  • A sports mouthguard is a protective device specifically designed to safeguard your teeth, gums, cheeks, and tongue to prevent a range of oral injuries such as: knocked-out teeth, broken jaws and cut lips. At Oracare Dental, we offer custom-made mouthguards with a 3 to 5 business day turnaround. Learn more

Major Dentistry

  • Gum disease, medically known as periodontal disease, is an inflammatory condition that negatively impacts the gums and other supporting structures of the teeth. Learn more

  • Root canal therapy, also known as endodontic treatment, is a dental procedure targeted at preserving a tooth that has been severely compromised due to decay or injury. This treatment aims to alleviate pain, eliminate infection and preserve the natural tooth structure. Learn more

  • Tooth extraction can be required for various reasons. Severe tooth decay that reaches the tooth’s inner part (pulp) is a common cause. Untreated infections in the pulp can lead to dental abscesses and further damage. Learn more

  • Crowns and bridges play a crucial role in maintaining oral health. Crowns work to protect, cover, and restore the function of damaged teeth, while bridges effectively fill in gaps left by missing teeth, preventing remaining teeth from drifting out of place and helping maintain normal tooth alignment. Learn more

  • Dental implants are cutting-edge dental devices that function as artificial roots, furnishing a robust and resilient foundation for replacement teeth. They are considered a highly effective and long-lasting solution for individuals who have lost one or more natural teeth. Learn more

Facial Aesthetics

  • Teeth whitening is a cosmetic dentistry procedure aimed at lightening the natural colour of your teeth without removing any of the tooth surfaces. It can’t make a complete colour change, but it can lighten the existing shade. Learn more

  • Discover a swift and impactful way to upgrade your smile with same-day veneers. Our advanced technology and skilled dental professionals ensure quality results in a single visit, saving you time without compromising on excellence. Learn more

  • A smile makeover is a comprehensive treatment plan that focuses on improving the aesthetics of your smile. This personalised process takes into consideration your facial appearance, skin tone, hair colour, teeth (colour, width, length, shape and tooth display), gum tissue, and lips to develop your ideal smile. Learn more

  • Muscle relaxants are medicines used to relieve muscle spasms and discomfort. They work by blocking nerve signals in your muscles, reducing the tension and allowing them to relax. Learn more

Sedation Options

  • We’re proud to offer a wide range of orthodontic services tailored to meet the unique needs of our patients. From Invisalign to ClearCorrect clear aligners that provide a discreet alternative to traditional braces, we have options to suit every lifestyle and goal. Learn more

  • Oral surgery encompasses a variety of procedures designed to treat various dental and oral health conditions. From removing impacted wisdom teeth and placing dental implants, to treating oral infections and conducting biopsies of suspicious areas, oral surgery plays a crucial role in maintaining the health and functionality of your mouth. Learn more

  • Bite rehabilitation, a specialised branch of dentistry, focuses on restoring the bite to a natural and healthy state. When your bite is misaligned – a condition also known as malocclusion – it can lead to various oral health concerns. Learn more

  • Temporomandibular joint disorder, commonly referred to as TMJ, is a condition affecting the hinge connecting your jaw to the temporal bones in your skull. This joint is integral to speaking, chewing, and yawning. Therefore, any disruption in its function can significantly impact one’s daily life. Learn more

  • People suffering from sleep apnoea might not even realise they have it. It’s often recognised by others witnessing the individual struggling to breathe during sleep or by a person feeling unrefreshed after waking, despite having a full night’s sleep. Learn more