Sleep Disordered Breathing in Highgate HIll, QLD
At Be Well Dental, we are passionate about more than your dental health. We aim to provide a wide range of treatments to promote overall health and wellness for you and your loved ones. When you feel good, it enhances your quality of life and improves how you relate to others.
Sleep-disordered breathing, including obstructive sleep apnoea, can have a significant impact on your health. Poor jaw alignment can cause airway obstruction, leading to sleep apnoea and snoring, while bruxism and teeth clenching may worsen both conditions. Treating these issues holistically is essential to improving sleep quality.
What Is Obstructive Sleep Apnoea (OSA)?
OSA occurs when the muscles of the throat relax too much during sleep, causing a temporary blockage of the airway. This leads to pauses in breathing—sometimes hundreds of times a night—often without the person even realising it.
OSA can affect people of all ages, including:
- Adults who snore loudly or wake feeling unrefreshed
- Children with large tonsils/adenoids or narrow jaws
- People who are overweight
- Those with jaw or airway anatomy issues
- Individuals with a family history of sleep apnoea
The Benefits of Seeking Treatment
Getting treatment for TMD provides numerous benefits, such as:
Pain Relief
With proper treatment, you will be more comfortable when you eat and speak.
Jaw Function
You can expect an improved range of motion once your TMD symptoms are addressed.
Dental Health
Treating TMD symptoms may make dental erosion or other issues less likely.
Frequently Asked Questions
Many health funds provide rebates for custom oral appliances under dental or extras cover. We can provide a detailed quote and help you understand your options based on your policy.
We assess suitability based on your sleep study results, jaw structure and OSA severity. MAS devices are typically recommended for patients with mild to moderate OSA or those who cannot tolerate CPAP.
Not always. Snoring can occur on its own, but if it’s loud, frequent and accompanied by choking sounds, daytime tiredness or pauses in breathing, it could be a sign of OSA and should be assessed.
What Are the Symptoms of OSA?
Many people with OSA aren’t aware they have it until a partner notices loud snoring or breathing pauses during sleep. Common symptoms include:
- Loud snoring
- Daytime fatigue or sleepiness
- Morning headaches
- Difficulty concentrating or brain fog
- Irritability or mood changes
- Dry mouth or sore throat on waking
- Teeth grinding at night
Health Risks of Untreated OSA
If left untreated, OSA can contribute to serious long-term health issues, including:
- High blood pressure
- Heart disease and stroke
- Type 2 diabetes
- Obesity and metabolic issues
- Depression and anxiety
- Memory and cognitive decline
- Increased risk of accidents due to drowsiness
Meet Our Doctors:
Dr Will Huynh
Dentist
Dr Will Huynh has been a local of the area most of his life. After graduating from the University of Queensland in 2006, he practised in regional centres of Gympie, ...
Dr Bao Tran Nguyen
Dentist
Dr Bao Tran Nguyen was born in Vietnam and lived there until she was age five. She lived in a Malaysian refugee camp for over four years before being settled ...
Dr Trang Truong
Dentist
Dr Trang Truong grew up locally in West End, attending West End State School and Brisbane State High. She graduated from the University of Queensland with Honours in 2006. After ...
How Do We Diagnose OSA?
Diagnosis starts with a thorough discussion of your symptoms, medical history, and sleep habits. If OSA is suspected, we’ll recommend a sleep study (polysomnography) to confirm the diagnosis.
To make this process easier, we partner with Arise Sleep, a trusted sleep physician-led service offering home-based sleep studies. This partnership ensures our patients receive expert care and fast access to high-quality diagnostics, often in the comfort of their own home.
Treatment Options for OSA
Treatment for OSA depends on the severity of the condition and individual needs. It may include:
- Lifestyle changes: Weight loss, positional therapy and reducing alcohol or sedative use
- CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure): A machine that delivers air through a mask to keep the airway open (commonly used for moderate to severe OSA)
- Surgical options: In some cases, surgery may be recommended to address anatomical blockages.
- Custom mandibular Advancement Splints
At Be Well Dental, we offer custom-made mandibular advancement splints. They are considered by many to be a comfortable alternative to CPAP for mild to moderate OSA.
These oral appliances are designed to gently reposition your lower jaw forward during sleep, keeping the airway open and reducing snoring and breathing interruptions.
Our MAS devices are:
- Tailored to fit your mouth for optimal comfort
- Adjustable to maximise effectiveness
- Portable and easy to travel with
- Often preferred by patients who can’t tolerate CPAP
Featured Blog Posts - Obstructive Sleep Apnoea (OSA) Treatment
Humidity, Congestion and Snoring: Sleep Apnoea Causes in Brisbane
When you think you’ve gotten a full night’s rest but you wake up feeling exhausted, that’s your body trying to tell you something. Seasonal congestion and humidity can make your snoring worse, but what if your tossing and turning is due to sleep apnoea?
Let’s explore the effects of humidity and congestion on patients with sleep apnoea in Brisbane and how Be Well Dental can help get you the restful sleep you deserve.
How Brisbane's Humid Climate Contributes to Sleep Apnoea Symptoms
Brisbane’s subtropical climate can be challenging, especially during the warmer ...
Looking for Quality Dental Care in Highgate Hill?
If you want dental care from an experienced team you can trust, we invite you to consider Be Well Dental. Our goal is to help you achieve your best oral health, so whether you need regular dental treatment or specific care for TMD or a sleep disorder, we’d love to hear from you.
If you’d like to arrange a consultation, we invite you to call us on (07) 3846 2002.