Sleep Medicine
Could your mouth be affecting your sleep?
Most people know that brushing, flossing, and regular check-ups are the foundations of good oral health - but did you know that your mouth could hold the key to how well you sleep at night? The connection between your dental health and your sleep quality is closer than you might expect, and the signs are often hiding in plain sight.
Supporting patients with
Sleep Medicine at Whitland Dental Co
Your mouth and your airway work closely together - and when one is affected, the other often feels it too. If your teeth, jaw, or breathing passage are not functioning as they should, this can interfere with the quality of your sleep in ways that go far beyond simply feeling tired. Poor sleep has now been linked to a wide range of health problems, from heart disease and diabetes to low mood and reduced quality of life. The good news is that your dentist is well placed to help. As part of a routine appointment, a trained dental professional can spot the early signs of a sleep breathing disorder and point you in the right direction — making your dental visit about so much more than just your teeth.
At Whitland Dental Co, Dr Alexandra Davies is currently completing a Postgraduate Certificate in Sleep Medicine, bringing specialist knowledge directly to her patients. If you have been struggling with disrupted sleep, snoring, or suspect you may have a sleep breathing disorder, Dr Davies is here to listen, assess, and guide you towards the right support.
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Published in August 2021, NICE guidance formally established the dentist's role in the identification and management of sleep breathing disorders — a landmark shift that has changed what your dental appointment can do for your overall health. At Whitland Dental Co, Dr Alexandra Davies has undergone specialist training in Sleep Medicine, equipping her to recognise the clinical signs and symptoms that may indicate a patient is at risk — including jaw position, tongue size, airway shape, and the tell-tale wear patterns on teeth caused by night-time grinding. These assessments are woven seamlessly into every routine check-up, meaning that with every visit, you are being looked after by someone who sees the full picture of your health - not just your teeth.
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If Dr Davies identifies any concerns during your routine check-up, she may invite you for a dedicated Sleep Medicine Assessment — a longer, more detailed appointment designed to build a complete picture of your health and sleep patterns. Using validated sleep scoring questionnaires, such as the Epworth Sleepiness Scale and the STOP-BANG questionnaire, alongside a thorough social and dental history, Dr Davies can evaluate your level of risk with precision. Clinical photographs are also taken to document the oral and airway anatomy. Where the assessment indicates it is necessary, we are able to offer a home sleep test in-house before any dental treatment proceeds — ensuring the right care, in the right order, for you.
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Once your home sleep test is complete, the results are analysed by a qualified sleep physiologist, ensuring that every finding is interpreted with clinical expertise. From there, your care pathway is tailored entirely to you. If the results indicate a need for further medical investigation, we will signpost you to your GP or arrange a private referral to a specialist. Where appropriate, a mandibular advancement device — a custom-made oral appliance that gently positions the jaw forward to protect both the airway and the teeth during sleep — may be recommended. For more significant presentations, CPAP therapy, the gold-standard treatment for moderate to severe sleep apnoea, may be indicated. In all cases, any necessary restorative dental work is completed first, laying the healthiest possible foundation before your device is fitted.
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At Whitland Dental Co, your care does not end once your device is fitted. We schedule regular recall appointments to monitor your progress, check the comfort and fit of your appliance, and ensure your treatment continues to work as it should. Clinical guidelines recommend that qualified dental professionals provide ongoing oversight of oral appliance therapy, monitoring for any dental side effects or changes in the bite, whilst follow-up sleep testing is advised to confirm and improve treatment efficacy. In line with this, after a set period of time we will invite you to repeat your home sleep test — giving us the objective reassurance that your airway, your teeth, and your sleep are all being protected to the highest standard.
Our Process
Holistic Assessment
We have learnt to connect the dots, by looking at the bigger picture. We actively encourage patients to put their health first and gratefully develop trusting, long-term relationships with our patients. Health is not static, it is ever evolving and whilst prevention is important, so is management and prompt care.
Comprehensive Data
We want to get to know you! Sometimes it’s the tiniest piece of information that can completely change the care pathway of a patient. In order to holistically treat you, we need to know about medical, dental and social lifestyle choices. We will never judge, we just need a clear clinical picture.
Multidisciplinary Approach
Sometimes, we require input from other professionals. Sleep Physiologists, Senior Colleagues, ENT Surgeons, Comorbidity Physicians. A team approach helps create a winning treatment pathway and makes sure nothing is overlooked in more complex cases. Confidentiality will always remain our first priority.
Continuity of Care
When the course of treatment ends, our relationship doesn’t. We are here to provide regular follow ups, preventative care and further signposting if necessary. Even if your Sleep Breathing Disorder is managed outside of our Clinic, we are still here to support all of our patients. We are just a phone call away.
Enquiries
Reach out to one of our friendly, informative staff for information about our plan options, finance or anything else that will put you at ease about your visit with us.
Please let us know if you would prefer to speak in Welsh.