Sleep Apnoea, Snoring & Bruxism (Grinding)

What is Sleep Apnoea?

Sleep apnoea is a serious sleep disorder in which a person’s breathing is repeatedly interrupted during sleep. These interruptions can last for several seconds or even minutes and may occur dozens or hundreds of times throughout the night. The most common type of sleep apnoea is obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA), which occurs when the muscles in the throat relax too much during sleep, leading to a blockage in the airway.

The effects of sleep apnoea are not limited to poor sleep. If left untreated, sleep apnoea can lead to more severe health issues, including:

• High blood pressure
• Heart disease and stroke
• Diabetes
• Fatigue and daytime drowsiness
• Decreased mental focus and concentration
• Increased risk of accidents due to tiredness
  
  

Symptoms of Sleep Apnoea

Common signs and symptoms of sleep apnoea include:

• Loud snoring
• Pauses in breathing during sleep (often noticed by a partner)
• Feeling excessively tired during the day, despite a full night’s sleep
• Difficulty concentrating or memory problems
• Waking up with a sore throat or dry mouth
  
  

Snoring: More Than Just a Nuisance

While snoring may seem like a harmless or merely annoying issue, it can be a symptom of sleep apnoea. Snoring occurs when airflow is partially blocked in the airways, causing the tissues in the throat to vibrate. In some cases, this is simply due to nasal congestion, but for others, it may indicate a more serious condition like obstructive sleep apnoea.

Even if snoring isn’t accompanied by full-blown apnoeic events, it can still disrupt sleep, both for the person snoring and for their partner. Chronic snoring can lead to:

• Poor sleep quality
• Relationship strain due to disturbed sleep
• Increased risk of developing sleep apnoea
  
  

Bruxism (Teeth Grinding) and Parafunction: Unhealthy Habits That Affect Your Teeth

Bruxism refers to the habitual grinding, clenching, or gnashing of teeth, usually during sleep. It is often a response to stress, anxiety, or certain medical conditions. Bruxism can occur at any age and often happens unconsciously, especially during sleep. Parafunction is a broader term that refers to abnormal, non-functional jaw movements like clenching and grinding.

If left untreated, bruxism and parafunction can lead to:

• Worn-down teeth: Grinding or clenching can flatten or chip teeth, making them more susceptible to cavities.
• Jaw pain: Grinding puts excessive pressure on the temporomandibular joints (TMJ), leading to pain, clicking, or even restricted jaw movement.
• Headaches: Chronic teeth grinding often leads to tension headaches, especially in the temples and around the face.
• Gum recession: The pressure caused by grinding can damage the gums and cause them to recede.
• Increased tooth sensitivity: Worn-down enamel can leave teeth more vulnerable to hot, cold, or sweet stimuli, causing sensitivity.
  
  

Symptoms of Bruxism and Parafunction

The symptoms of bruxism and parafunction may include:

• Sore or tight jaw muscles (especially upon waking)
• Frequent headaches, especially in the temples
• Worn or cracked teeth
• Tinnitus (ringing in the ears)
• Jaw popping or clicking
• Painful or tender gums
  
  

How Sleep Apnoea, Snoring, Bruxism, and Parafunction Impact Your Health

While each of these conditions is unique, they share a common thread: they all impact your ability to get restful sleep and can cause significant long-term consequences for your health. Whether you’re struggling with loud snoring, waking up tired despite a full night’s sleep, dealing with frequent headaches, or noticing pain in your jaw, the effects can be wide-ranging.

• Sleep apnoea disrupts the oxygen supply to your brain, leading to fatigue, decreased concentration, and long-term health risks like heart disease and high blood pressure.
• Snoring disrupts your sleep and can affect the sleep quality of your partner, leading to relationship strain and daytime fatigue.
• Bruxism and parafunction cause tooth damage, jaw pain, and headaches, affecting both your oral health and your overall well-being.
  
  

Solutions for Sleep Apnoea, Snoring, Bruxism, and Parafunction at Oxley Dental

We offer a range of effective treatments to help manage and alleviate the symptoms of sleep apnoea, snoring, bruxism, and parafunction. Our goal is to help you improve your sleep quality, protect your teeth, and prevent further damage.

1. Oral Appliances for Sleep Apnoea and Snoring

One of the most common and effective treatments for sleep apnoea and snoring is the use of a custom-made oral appliance. These devices are designed to reposition the jaw and tongue to keep the airways open while you sleep, reducing or eliminating snoring and improving airflow.

• Mandibular Advancement Devices (MADs): These devices gently move the lower jaw forward to open the airway and prevent the collapse of soft tissues that cause snoring and obstructive sleep apnoea.
• Tongue Retaining Devices (TRDs): These devices help keep the tongue in a forward position to prevent airway obstruction and snoring.

These devices are a non-invasive, effective alternative to more traditional treatments, such as CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure) machines, for mild to moderate sleep apnoea.

2. Night Guards for Bruxism and Parafunction

If you or your child suffers from bruxism or parafunction, we can help protect your teeth and alleviate jaw pain with a custom-fitted night guard. Night guards are comfortable, soft plastic devices worn over your teeth while you sleep. They act as a cushion, preventing your teeth from grinding against each other and protecting them from wear and damage.

Night guards can:

• Reduce the impact of teeth grinding on your teeth and jaw joints
• Alleviate muscle tension and discomfort in the jaw
• Help prevent headaches caused by teeth grinding
• Improve sleep quality by reducing the discomfort associated with bruxism
  
  

3. Jaw and TMJ Treatment for Bruxism and Parafunction

In cases where bruxism and parafunction cause significant TMJ (temporomandibular joint) pain or dysfunction, additional treatments may be needed. We offer a range of options to help manage jaw pain, including:

• Physical therapy and jaw exercises to relieve tension
• Stress management techniques to reduce the mental triggers of teeth grinding
• Orthodontic treatment (if misalignment is a contributing factor)

By addressing the root cause of your bruxism or parafunction, we can help alleviate pain and prevent further damage to your teeth and jaw.

4. Lifestyle and Behavioural Modifications

For both sleep apnoea and bruxism, lifestyle changes can play a significant role in managing symptoms:

• Weight loss: For people with obstructive sleep apnoea, losing weight can help reduce fatty tissue around the neck and improve airflow during sleep.
• Sleep position: Sleeping on your back can exacerbate snoring and sleep apnoea. We can advise you on changing your sleep position to improve airflow.
• Stress reduction: Learning to manage stress through relaxation techniques can help reduce the frequency of bruxism episodes.
  
  

 Ready to Improve Your Sleep and Oral Health?