Snoring & Sleep Apnoea in adults and children.
At Danny de Villiers Dentist in Weybridge, we see many patients who complain of snoring and how it keeps themselves and their partners awake.
We also see many children who sleep with their mouths open and snore and consequently under-achieve at school due to tiredness.
Snoring is defined as a coarse sound made by vibrations of the soft palate and other tissue in the mouth, nose & throat (upper airway). The turbulence is caused by a partial blockage that may be located anywhere from the tip of the nose to the vocal chords. This is because our muscle tone is reduced during sleep and there may be insufficient muscle tone to prevent the airway tissue vibrating.
In recent years it has been found that the tongue plays a far more important role in the incidence of snoring than was once thought.
Snoring is something that cannot be stopped at will, neither is it something that can be ‘cured’. It can however, be successfully controlled.
At Danny de Villiers Dentist, we have found that a large majority of patients with narrow upper dental arches have this problem as there is no space for the tongue in the palate. The tongue then drops to the floor of the mouth and to the back of the throat causing the snoring.
OUR TREATMENT:
In adults we use several custom made snoring devices depending on the patient’s needs and condition. We can also do orthodontic treatment if required, to create wider dental arches and more space for the tongue and improved breathing.
Snoring in children must be seen as an outcry for help!
Correct nose breathing with sufficient oxygen intake is very important for a child’s development. Children that do not sleep well feel tired when they wake up and under perform at school.
At Danny de Villiers Dentist we start treatment as early as 5 years old with Myobrace. This myofunctional appliance creates space for the tongue by enlarging the upper jaw, it trains the tongue to stay in the correct position and it also encourages nose breathing. The end result is a good airway and straight teeth!
Obstructive Sleep Apnoea (OSA) is defined as the cessation of airflow during sleep preventing air from entering the lungs caused by an obstruction. It is a very serious condition that can increase heart attacks by 25%. Continuous oxygen supply to the body and the brain is very important. When you experience an episode of Apnoea during sleep, your brain will automatically wake you up, usually with a very loud snore or snort, in order to breathe again. People with OSA will experience these wakening episodes many times during the night and consequently feel very sleepy during the day, wake up with headaches, forgetfulness and a decreased interest in sex.
TREATMENT:
- Lower jaw advancement device
This is a simple device that is custom made just for you. At Danny de Villiers Dentist, we take impressions and have this made by a specialist laboratory. Beware of cheap ‘boil and bite’ appliances. They do not fit well and are bulky! Below is one example of such appliances.
2. CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure)
This is a motor with a mask (worn in bed) to supply air under pressure. Most people find this uncomfortable and might persist for a short period of time and then give up.
Please call Danny de Villiers Dentist in Weybridge on 01932 989785 to enquire further or to make an appointment to see Danny.
