Sleep apnoea
Obstructive Sleep Apnoea (OSA) is a condition where your breathing repeatedly stops and starts while you sleep. Left untreated, it can affect your sleep quality, energy levels and overall health.
If you're struggling with loud snoring or have been diagnosed with mild to moderate sleep apnoea, our experienced clinicians provide custom-made dental appliances from our Cheltenham practice to help improve your breathing and reduce snoring while you sleep.
Could you have sleep apnoea?
Loud snoring isn't always just a nuisance. It can also be one of the most common signs of obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA), a condition that causes your breathing to repeatedly stop and start while you sleep.
Some of the most common sleep apnoea symptoms include:
- Loud, persistent snoring.
- Pauses in breathing during sleep, often noticed by a partner.
- Waking up gasping or choking.
- Feeling tired even after a full night's sleep.
- Morning headaches.
- Difficulty concentrating or increased irritability.
If these symptoms sound familiar, it's worth arranging a sleep apnoea assessment. Our experienced clinicians can determine if a custom-made dental appliance could help improve your breathing, reduce snoring and support a better night's sleep.
What is a snore guard?
Snore guards are a simple and effective way to help control snoring, supporting a better night's sleep for both you and your partner. Snore guards work by moving the lower jaw forward and holding it there during sleep. This pulls the tongue away from the back of the throat and helps to maintain an open airway.
Custom-fit mouth guards for snoring
While you can buy ready-made snore guards, they are often hard to use and don’t guarantee a good fit. We fit snore guards that are tailor-made by a specialised dental laboratory, using models cast from precise dental impressions of your mouth. You’ll also be able to choose between rigid or semi-rigid materials as well as static and adjustable options to find a snore guard that fits you perfectly.
Are snore guards comfortable?
It can take a little time to get used to wearing a snore guard, with some people feeling slight jaw discomfort to begin with. However, snore guards have the added benefit of helping to reduce tooth grinding at night, as well as helping you to breathe easy while asleep.
Do mouth guards help with snoring?
For many people, yes. A custom-made snoring mouth guard can be an effective way to reduce snoring and help manage mild to moderate obstructive sleep apnoea.
Unlike over-the-counter mouth guards, our custom-made dental guards for snoring are designed specifically for your mouth. By gently moving your lower jaw forward while you sleep, you keep the airway more open, helping reduce snoring and improve airflow throughout the night.
During your consultation at our Cheltenham practice, we'll assess your symptoms, discuss your concerns and recommend the most appropriate treatment for you. If a custom-fit mouth guard for snoring is suitable, we'll create one that's comfortable, secure and tailored specifically to your smile. Get in touch today to book your consultation.
