Sleep Medicine
Yes, Snoring and Quality of Sleep can be Dentally Related!
There is more of a correlation with sleep and dentistry then we tend to realise. Snoring, grinding and mouth breathing can be symptoms of underlying problems.
Snoring and Dental Sleep Medicine
Snoring is usually a result of a partially blocked airway while sleeping. When sleeping, the muscles in the tongue and throat tend to relax. According to the American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine, the soft tissues in the throat can relax enough to partially obstruct the airway. Soft tissues in the throat vibrate as air flows past, generating the “snoring” noise. The more narrowed the airway becomes, the more forceful the air flow becomes, and the louder the snoring gets.
Snoring in children can be an early warning sign of underlying issues such as enlarged tonsils or adenoids, breathing problems, malocclusion or narrowing of the palate. If your child is snoring or grinding, take a short video and show our (sleep dentistry) dentists in Brisbane so that we may see how we can help them. It is shown that OSA (Obstructive Sleep Apnoea) in children can lead to signs and symptoms that can mimic ADHD (Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder).
OSA in adults has been shown to decrease quality of life, affect moods and there is links to systemic conditions such as CVD (Cardiovascular Disease)
Here at Dentists In Annerley, we work in conjunction with your GP (General Practitioner) and sleep physician to come up with an approach that best suits your needs. We have devices which help reduce or eliminate snoring while improving your quality of sleep.
It is not just the noise! The noise is usually evidence of an underlying issue and it is that issue we wish to treat.
Here at Dentists In Annerley we believe in a more holistic approach to patient’s health extending beyond just the teeth. Signs of OSA (Obstructive Sleep Apnoea) may be apparent to us when doing a clinical oral examination whether through signs of bruxism or venous pooling.
If you suspect you have OSA or snore loudly, please let us know so that we can help you with our top notch sleep dentistry in Brisbane.
An MAD (Mandibular Advancement Device) is a custom made appliance which tackles a combination of problems:
- Can reduce or eliminate snoring
- Obstructive Sleep Apnoea and other related sleeping conditions
- Grinding of teeth (bruxism)
- Postulates the lower jaw in a forward protruded position to increase the airflow and allow for better breathing
A healthy sleep is an essential component for a good quality of life and is essential for us to perform and be at our best.
Sleep is such an integral part of all our lives. A lack of ‘healthy’ sleep can lead to:
- Increased stress, short temper and mood swings
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Poor cognitive effects
- Memory effects
- Poor performance
- Daytime sleepiness / fatigue
- Behavioural problems
- Medical Problems
Epworth Sleepiness Scale Questionnaire
Guidelines for conducting the Epworth Sleepiness Scale
The Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) is a scale intended to measure daytime sleepiness that is measured by use of a very short questionnaire. This can be helpful in diagnosing sleep disorders. It was introduced in 1991 by Dr Murray Johns of Epworth Hospital in Melbourne, Australia.
The questionnaire asks the subject to rate his or her probability of falling asleep on a scale of increasing probability from 0 to 3 for eight different situations that most people engage in during their daily lives, though not necessarily every day. The scores for the eight questions are added together to obtain a single number. A number in the 0–9 range is considered to be normal while a number in the 10–24 range indicates that expert medical advice should be sought. For instance, scores of 11-15 are shown to indicate the possibility of mild to moderate sleep apnea, where a score of 16 and above indicates the possibility of severe sleep apnea or narcolepsy. Certain questions in the scale were shown to be better predictors of specific sleep disorders, though further tests may be required to provide an accurate diagnosis.
Have the applicant score the likelihood of them falling asleep whilst completing the listed tasks.
How Sleepy Are You?
The Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) is a scale intended to measure daytime sleepiness that is measured by use of a very short questionnaire. This can be helpful in diagnosing sleep disorders.
- 0 = no chance of dozing
- 1 = slight chance of dozing
- 2 = moderate chance of dozing
- 3 = high chance of dozing
A number in the 0–9 range is considered to be normal while a number in the 10–24 range indicates that expert medical advice should be sought. Scores of 11-15 are shown to indicate the possibility of mild to moderate sleep apnea, where a score of 16 and above indicates the possibility of severe sleep apnea or narcolepsy.