Snoring & Sleep Apnoea

Sleep apnoea is not just about snoring.

This condition happens when your airway keeps narrowing or closing while you sleep. When this occurs, your breathing slows down or stops for a few seconds. Your oxygen drops, and your brain wakes you up just enough to start breathing again. Most people do not remember these brief awakenings, but they can happen many times each night, sometimes even hundreds of times. The result is broken, poor quality sleep, even if you spend eight hours in bed.

Common signs can include:
– Loud, persistent snoring
– Gasping, choking or snorting sounds during sleep
– Waking with a dry mouth or sore throat
– Morning headaches
– Feeling exhausted despite a “full” night’s sleep
– Brain fog or difficulty concentrating
– Irritability or low mood

Many people think they are just stressed, busy, or simply ‘bad sleepers’, but in reality, their bodies are working hard all night just to keep breathing.

Not all snoring means you have sleep apnoea, but if your snoring is loud and frequent, it is important to get it checked. Snoring often means there is some blockage in your airway. Sometimes, this can develop into obstructive sleep apnoea. The best way to know for sure is to have a proper assessment.

How Divine Smiles Assesses Sleep Health

We work together using a clear and organised approach.

Divine Smiles has partnered with Arise, an Australian-based team of GPs, sleep and respiratory physicians and healthcare professionals.

Together, we provide:
– Comprehensive clinical screening
– Home-based sleep testing
– Specialist physician interpretation
– Personalised treatment recommendations

What Is a Home Sleep Study?

You can do your sleep studies at home, where you feel most comfortable.

The device monitors:
– Breathing patterns
– Oxygen levels
– Heart rate
– Sleep interruptions

A certified sleep doctor reviews your results and gives you a clear diagnosis along with personalised advice. We send your results quickly to your dentist so you can start treatment without waiting. By working closely together, we can quickly find out what is causing your sleep problems.

Treatment Options

If you are diagnosed with sleep apnoea or airway problems, your treatment might include:
– Oral appliance therapy (custom dental devices)
– Referral for CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure) when appropriate
– Medical management through sleep physicians
– Coordinated care between dental and medical professionals

For some people, a custom made mouth device can gently move the lower jaw during sleep to help keep the airway open.

This option is:
Discreet
Comfortable
Portable
Often well tolerated
We decide if this option is right for you after a full medical check and assessment.

How your jaw, tongue, and airway are positioned can make a big difference in how you breathe while you sleep. As dentists trained in airway and bite health, we look at:
– Jaw alignment
– Tongue posture
– Airway space
– Bite stability

This helps us decide if dental solutions are right for your treatment plan.

Quality sleep supports:
– Cardiovascular health
– Brain function
– Emotional wellbeing
– Metabolic balance
– Energy levels

Treating snoring and sleep breathing problems can really improve your daily life and help keep you healthy in the long run.

If you do not feel rested after sleep, it is worth looking into.

Book a sleep health appointment at Divine Smiles to begin your journey to better, safer sleep.