地址
7/151 Cowper Street
Dickson ACT, 2602
营业时间
星期一至星期四 9-5pm
星期五 8-3pm
星期六 (隔周营业) 9-5pm
Sleep Apnoea
Breathe Easier, Sleep Better: Solutions for Sleep Apnoea at Dickson Park Dental Surgery
Do you wake up feeling tired even after a full night's sleep? Does your partner complain about your loud snoring? These could be signs of sleep disordered breathing (SDB) or Obstructive Sleep Apnoea (OSA), conditions that affect millions of Australians and can significantly impact your health and quality of life.
At Dickson Park Dental Surgery in Dickson, Canberra, we understand the vital link between your oral health and overall well-being. Our experienced team works closely with medical professionals to provide effective dental solutions, particularly custom-fitted oral appliances, to help you breathe freely and sleep soundly again.
Understanding Sleep Disordered Breathing (SDB) & Obstructive Sleep Apnoea (OSA)
Sleep disordered breathing is a spectrum of conditions where your breathing is interrupted during sleep. The most common and serious form is Obstructive Sleep Apnoea.
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Snoring: While often harmless, loud, chronic snoring can be a sign of obstructed airflow and sometimes a precursor to more serious issues.
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Upper Airway Resistance Syndrome (UARS): This involves narrowed airways that make breathing harder, leading to lighter sleep and daytime fatigue, even without full apnoeas.
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Obstructive Sleep Apnoea (OSA): This is a more severe condition where the airway repeatedly collapses or becomes blocked during sleep, causing pauses in breathing (apnoeas) or shallow breathing (hypopnoeas). These interruptions can last from a few seconds to over a minute and occur many times per hour. Your brain then briefly wakes you up to restart breathing, disrupting deep sleep cycles.
In OSA, the soft tissues at the back of your throat relax too much during sleep, blocking the airway. These repeated events can lead to chronic fatigue and serious long-term health complications.
Are You or a Loved One Affected? Common Symptoms of SDB & OSA
Many people suffer from sleep disordered breathing without realising it, often because the symptoms occur during sleep. Watch out for these common signs:
Symptoms experienced by the patient:
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Loud, chronic snoring (often reported by a partner)
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Excessive daytime sleepiness, even after a full night's sleep
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Waking up gasping or choking
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Morning headaches
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Dry mouth or sore throat in the morning
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Irritability or mood changes
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Difficulty concentrating or memory problems
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Frequent night-time urination
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Reduced libido
Symptoms observed by a partner:
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Loud and frequent snoring
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Witnessed breathing pauses during sleep
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Restless sleep
If these symptoms sound familiar, especially the snoring and daytime tiredness, it's crucial to seek professional advice. Contact Dickson Park Dental Surgery in Canberra to discuss your concerns.
The Dentist's Role in Sleep Apnoea and Snoring Treatment
While a medical doctor or sleep physician is responsible for diagnosing sleep apnoea through a sleep study (polysomnography), dentists play a crucial role in the management of snoring and mild to moderate OSA. We work as part of a healthcare team to provide effective, non-surgical treatment options.
At Dickson Park Dental Surgery, our dentists are trained to:
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Screen for SDB: Identify patients who may be at risk for sleep apnoea during routine dental check-ups.
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Collaborate with Medical Professionals: Work with your GP or sleep specialist to ensure a comprehensive approach to your diagnosis and treatment plan.
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Provide Oral Appliance Therapy: Custom-design and fit Mandibular Advancement Splints (MAS) and other oral appliances.
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Monitor and Adjust: Provide ongoing care and adjustments to your oral appliance to ensure its effectiveness and your comfort.
We are dedicated to helping you achieve better sleep and better health through appropriate dental interventions.
Oral Appliance Therapy: Custom MAS Devices
For many patients suffering from snoring or mild to moderate Obstructive Sleep Apnoea, a custom-fitted oral appliance can be a highly effective treatment alternative to CPAP machines or surgery. The most common type is a Mandibular Advancement Splint (MAS). Somnomed is a popular brand.
How a Mandibular Advancement Splint (MAS) Works:
A MAS is a custom-made, two-piece dental device that fits over your upper and lower teeth, similar to a sports mouthguard. It gently holds your lower jaw and tongue slightly forward during sleep. By doing so, it:
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Keeps the Airway Open: Prevents the soft tissues at the back of your throat from collapsing and blocking your airway.
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Reduces Snoring: Alleviates the vibrations that cause snoring.
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Improves Breathing: Allows for unobstructed airflow, reducing or eliminating apnoeas and hypopnoeas.
Benefits of Custom Oral Appliances:
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Comfortable & Discreet: Custom-made for a precise fit, making them more comfortable to wear than off-the-shelf devices.
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Portable: Easy to travel with, unlike bulky CPAP machines.
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Quiet: No motors or air pressure noise, promoting a peaceful sleep environment for you and your partner.
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Effective: Clinically proven to significantly reduce snoring and improve OSA symptoms for many patients.
If you're seeking a discreet and comfortable solution for snoring or sleep apnoea in Canberra, talk to us about a custom MAS device at Dickson Park Dental Surgery.
The Benefits of Treating Sleep Disordered Breathing & OSA
Treating sleep disordered breathing goes far beyond just stopping snoring. It can dramatically improve your overall health and quality of life:
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Improved Sleep Quality: Experience deeper, more restorative sleep.
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Increased Energy & Alertness: Combat daytime fatigue and improve focus.
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Reduced Health Risks: Lower your risk of serious health conditions associated with untreated sleep apnoea, such as high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and even depression.
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Better Mood & Concentration: Enhanced mental clarity and emotional stability.
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Enhanced Relationship: A quieter bedroom leads to better sleep for your partner.
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Overall Well-being: Feel more rested, healthier, and enjoy life to the fullest.
Take the first step towards better sleep and better health. Consult Dickson Park Dental Surgery for effective sleep apnoea solutions in Dickson, Canberra.