Tired All the Time? Waking Up Gasping or Snoring? Your Teeth and Jaw Could Be Involved.
Sleep apnea affects millions of Australians, yet it often goes undiagnosed—especially when the root cause is dental or jaw-related. If you snore, grind your teeth, wake up tired, or gasp for air during the night, you might have obstructive sleep apnea (OSA)—and your dentist could be the first to detect it.
At Pain Free Dentist Sydney, we specialise in identifying and treating dental-related sleep apnea with custom, non-invasive solutions that can help you finally get the restful sleep your body needs.
What Is Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA)?
Obstructive sleep apnea occurs when your airway becomes blocked during sleep, causing you to stop breathing multiple times per hour. This disrupts oxygen flow to your brain and body—leading to serious health consequences if left untreated.
Common causes include:
Relaxed soft tissues in the throat
Tongue falling back and blocking the airway
Narrow jaws or dental arches
Improper tongue posture
Enlarged tonsils or nasal obstruction
Tongue tie or oral muscle dysfunction
Dental Signs of Sleep Apnea
Dentists are often the first to spot red flags. During your exam, we may notice:
Teeth grinding (bruxism)
Worn-down or cracked teeth
Scalloped edges on the tongue
Dry mouth
Retruded jaw or narrow dental arch
Tongue tie or low tongue posture
If we suspect sleep apnea, we may recommend a sleep study or refer you to a sleep physician while working on dental solutions that support better breathing.
Symptoms of Dental-Related Sleep Apnea
Even if you don’t snore loudly, you could still have sleep apnea. Common symptoms include:
Loud or frequent snoring
Gasping or choking during sleep
Morning headaches
Dry mouth or sore throat
Daytime fatigue or brain fog
Poor concentration or memory issues
Mood swings or irritability
Grinding or clenching teeth at night
TMJ pain or jaw tension
How Can a Dentist Treat Sleep Apnea?
At Pain Free Dentist Sydney, we offer dental sleep apnea treatments for patients who:
Cannot tolerate a CPAP machine
Have mild to moderate OSA
Want a more comfortable and portable solution
✅ Custom Oral Appliance Therapy
We create a custom-made dental device (also called a mandibular advancement splint) that gently repositions your lower jaw forward during sleep—keeping your airway open and reducing apnea events.
Benefits of oral appliances:
Comfortable and discreet
Easy to travel with
Non-invasive and quiet
Effective for many mild to moderate cases
Can reduce snoring and improve oxygen levels
✅ Airway-Focused Dentistry
We also address the underlying causes:
Jaw development or narrow arches
Tongue tie (ankyloglossia)
Poor tongue posture or mouth breathing
Myofunctional therapy referral
TMJ assessment
Sleep Apnea Affects More Than Just Your Sleep
Untreated sleep apnea can contribute to:
High blood pressure
Heart disease
Stroke
Type 2 diabetes
Depression and anxiety
Low energy and reduced quality of life
That’s why early diagnosis and collaboration between your dentist and sleep physician is so important.
Don’t Sleep on Sleep Apnea – Get Help from a Dentist Who Understands the Airway
At Pain Free Dentist Sydney, we don’t just look at your teeth—we look at the bigger picture. If you're constantly tired, snore, or grind your teeth, book a consultation with us. We’ll assess your airway, jaw, and sleep health, and create a plan to help you breathe—and live—better.
Book a Dental Sleep Apnea Assessment
📞 Call us: 9558 8988
📧 Email: info@painfreedentistsydney.com.au
🌐 Book online: https://painfreedentistsydney.com.au/