Snoring is a common problem which affects many as they sleep. It can not only be completely exhausting for the person that snores due to the inability to get a proper night’s sleep but it is just as bad for the person sleeping next to them. It is caused when the lower jaw relaxes and the soft structures of the throat and mouth drift backwards. This restricts the airway and creates the fluttering sounds as you continue to breathe.

Snoring affects approximately 40% of the adult population; it is more prevalent in men than women and has been recorded up to 90 decibels, similar to a model aeroplane! Funny as this may sound, it is no joking matter.

One of the major concerns with snoring is the direct association with Sleep Apnoea.

Sleep Apnoea is the complete cessation of breathing for short intervals. This condition is linked to heart failure, strokes, headaches, excess sleepiness, fatigue, poor memory and concentration, impotence and high blood pressure to mention a few. 
Some common symptoms of sleep apnoea:

• Daytime sleepiness/lethargy
• Feeling unrefreshed in the morning after waking
• Loud snoring
• Choking or gasping during sleep to get air into the lungs
• Sudden awakenings to restart breathing
• Waking up in a sweat during the night
• Headaches, sore throat, or dry mouth after waking
  

A range of night wear Sleep Apnoea devices aims to bring the lower jaw forward and hence the tongue away from the back of the mouth to open up the airway.  These rest on the teeth similar to a mouthguard and are easy to get used to.

With the use of an appliance, snoring and the incidence of Sleep Apnoea episodes can be reduced or even eliminated. Every incident of snoring and sleep apnoea is different. They must be treated individually and assessed to ensure the correct level of treatment and advice is being given. Discuss any level of snoring that you or your partner are suffering from as there may be a very simple solution to provide you both with a rested night’s sleep.

Tooth Grinding (Bruxism)
Often a night-time action, tooth grinding or clenching can be the cause of tooth wear, facial tension and headaches. Usually this condition is related to stress or an unbalanced bite. Many people are unaware they grind their teeth because they do it while they sleep. Bruxism often occurs in the early part of the night and can disturb sleep partners as the clenching and grinding may be quite noisy.

Bruxism can cause chips in the teeth, wear down the biting surface and crack tooth enamel; sometimes, there is a tendency to grind the molars together, which can be loud enough to wake the person sleeping next to you. Bruxism is one of the world’s most common sleep disorders. Over a period of time, tooth damage will occur and may also lead to tooth loss. In most cases we may recommend a night guard to protect your teeth from damage and alleviate other discomforts associated with this action. We can examine your teeth during your regular checkup appointment as we can see whether your teeth have worn down. If this is the case, we can discuss the best solution for you.