The impact of sleep apnoea on quality of life

Last updated on: 5 Aug, 2026

Sleep apnoea is a serious sleep disorder that not only impairs sleep quality and leads to numerous health problems, but is also directly linked to dental health. Early recognition and treatment of sleep apnoea are of paramount importance, with dentistry playing a key role in both the diagnosis and management of this condition.

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What is sleep apnoea?

The term ‘apnoea’ means ‘absence of breathing’. In sleep apnoea, breathing stops repeatedly during sleep, with each pause lasting from a few seconds to a minute or more. These episodes occur dozens or hundreds of times during the night, with each interruption disrupting normal sleep.

A characteristic feature of the condition is loud snoring during sleep, followed by pauses in breathing and gasping. Sleep apnoea is a chronic condition that requires long-term management, similar to conditions such as high blood pressure and diabetes. Therefore, regular screening for sleep apnoea is critical for the timely diagnosis of the condition.

Dental signs of sleep apnoea

During routine check-ups, dentists may notice specific signs in the oral cavity that point to this condition. A sleep apnoea screening in the dental surgery involves an assessment of a number of anatomical and functional features.

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Anatomical features of the oral cavity

During the examination, the dentist assesses the structure of the oral cavity, which may predispose a patient to obstructive sleep apnoea.

The most common features are as follows:

• a large tongue with tooth marks
• narrow airways
• enlarged tonsils
• a high, arched hard palate
• a small or receding lower jaw (retrognathia)
• a deviated nasal septum
• mouth breathing
• enlarged uvula (fleshy tag) located at the end of the soft palate 

These anatomical features are also causes of obstructive sleep apnoea.

Tissue changes in the oral cavity

Specialists observe inflamed areas on the cheeks from chewing, a dry mouth from mouth breathing, an inflamed tongue and a reddened throat – changes resulting from chronic mouth breathing in people with sleep apnoea.

Types of sleep apnoea

Understanding the different types of this condition helps with the correct diagnosis of sleep apnoea and the selection of appropriate treatment. Each type has specific causes of sleep apnoea, as well as characteristic symptoms of sleep apnoea.

Obstructive sleep apnoea

Obstructive sleep apnoea is the most common type, accounting for around 84% of cases. The throat muscles relax too much, leading to a physical blockage of the airways.

Causes and risk factors

The causes of sleep apnoea include being overweight, an increased neck circumference (men over 43 cm, women over 37 cm) and anatomical features. Risk factors for sleep apnoea include being over 40 years of age; sleep apnoea is more common in men, although after the menopause, sleep apnoea in women also increases significantly.

Smoking, alcohol and sedative medication relax the throat muscles. From a dental perspective, a narrow lower jaw, a high palate and a large tongue are important anatomical risk factors for sleep apnoea.

Symptoms

Symptoms include loud snoring, gasping for breath when breathing resumes, and frequent night-time awakenings. Daytime sleepiness, memory problems, as well as irritability and depression are common symptoms that significantly impair sleep quality and overall well-being.

Central sleep apnoea

Central sleep apnoea is a rarer form in which the problem lies in a disruption of the brain’s signals to the respiratory muscles.

Causes and risk factors

The condition is often associated with cardiovascular disease, stroke or the use of certain medications. This form requires a specific medical approach.

Symptoms

Symptoms of central sleep apnoea include pauses in breathing without any breathing effort, insomnia and daytime sleepiness. Snoring during sleep may occur, but is not as pronounced.

Complex sleep apnoea

It begins as obstructive sleep apnoea, but upon starting sleep apnoea therapy, particularly with CPAP therapy, signs of central sleep apnoea develop. This condition requires a specialised approach to its treatment.

Treatment of sleep apnoea

Dental medicine also offers effective methods for treating sleep apnoea, particularly in mild to moderate cases of obstructive sleep apnoea.

Oral appliances – a dental alternative to CPAP

Oral appliances are specialised mandibular splints, custom-made by dentists for the treatment of sleep apnoea in mild to moderate cases. The appliance consists of two parts for the upper and lower jaw. 

Adjustable straps move the lower jaw forward, which increases the space in the throat, prevents the soft tissues from collapsing, pulls the tongue forward and reduces snoring during sleep.

Advantages: High effectiveness, compact design, quiet operation, comfort (custom-made) and better tolerability than CPAP therapy.

Process: The dentist takes impressions of the jaws and bite. The device is made from a thin film that fits snugly over the teeth. Getting used to it is easy and painless.

Indications: Mild to moderate obstructive sleep apnoea, people who cannot tolerate CPAP therapy, snoring without apnoea, and patients who travel frequently.

Orthodontic and surgical treatment

In children and adults with anatomical problems, orthodontic treatment can help by widening the upper jaw and correcting the bite. For specific problems, surgical methods for treating sleep apnoea are considered: removal of enlarged tonsils, correction of a deviated nasal septum or modification of the soft palate.

CPAP therapy

CPAP therapy remains the gold standard for moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnoea. The device provides a constant flow of air through a mask worn during sleep. Modern CPAP machines are compact, quiet and automatically adjustable. CPAP therapy for sleep apnoea shows excellent results – daytime sleepiness disappears quickly and concentration improves.

Certain lifestyle changes can influence sleep apnoea therapy. Losing 10–15% of body weight can significantly improve symptoms. The choice of sleeping position also matters – sleeping on one’s side reduces episodes of apnoea. Avoiding alcohol, sedatives and smoking in the evening improves sleep quality.

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Conclusion

Sleep apnoea can have serious consequences for a person’s health – risk of strokes, reduced immunity, physical fatigue, reduced work capacity and concentration. These conditions can lead to road accidents and other critical situations. Timely prevention of the consequences of sleep apnoea improves the quality of life for those suffering from this condition.

Frequently asked questions

Is wearing an oral appliance for sleep apnoea painful?

No, modern oral appliances are custom-made and extremely comfortable. There may be a short adjustment period (a few days), but they do not cause pain.

Why is teeth grinding associated with sleep apnoea?

Teeth grinding (bruxism) is often the body’s involuntary attempt to open the airways during an apnoea episode. Up to a quarter of people with bruxism have sleep apnoea.

Do I need to have teeth to use an oral appliance?

Yes, oral appliances require sufficient teeth in the upper and lower jaws to support the device. For patients with partial or complete edentulism, there are other options such as CPAP therapy or specialised prosthetic solutions.