The Impact of Sleep Apnea on Oral Health
Sleep apnea is usually considered to be a sleep disorder that has nothing to do with oral health, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. However, sleep apnea can adversely affect not only your sleep but your oral health, so it's essential to treat it if you think you have sleep apnea. Although your first impulse may be to schedule an appointment with your primary care doctor, your dentist should be able to help you treat this condition.
What Is Sleep Apnea?
Sleep apnea is a breathing disorder that causes the body to stop breathing temporarily. It can be caused by neurological issues, physical issues, or improper signals from the brain. Most people aren't aware they have sleep apnea, but common symptoms include:
- Daytime fatigue
- Snoring loudly
- Sore throat or dry mouth in the morning
- Gasping for air or choking during the night
If you have any or all of these, you may have sleep apnea and should contact Long Island Dental Specialty for an appointment with your dentist.
Obstructive sleep apnea, or OSA, is caused by excessively relaxed throat muscles, which restrict airflow through the trachea. It's important to treat sleep apnea so that you don't develop heart disease, hypertension, or stroke.
How Does Sleep Apnea Adversely Affect Oral Health?
It may seem counterintuitive that a breathing disorder can adversely impact your oral health, but it does.
Sleep apnea causes dry mouth. When your mouth has inadequate saliva, you're at increased risk for bad breath, gum disease, and cavities.
Bruxism, or teeth grinding, is a common side effect of sleep apnea. If you have bruxism, you're more likely to have chipped or worn teeth, jaw pain, or headaches. Your dentist can prescribe a custom night guard to protect your teeth.
Poor sleep quality can contribute to chronic inflammation, so your body won't be able to fight off infection. This can trigger gum disease or exacerbate it if you already have it.
How Can My Dentist Help With Sleep Apnea?
During your appointment, your Long Island Dental Specialty dentist will check for signs of sleep apnea and can offer you:
- Custom oral appliances to keep your airways open while you sleep
- Screenings for sleep apnea
- Treatment for TMJ and bruxism
All our solutions are non-invasive and comfortable. They can also significantly improve the quality of your sleep and your oral health. The two are inextricably intertwined, so if you're not sleeping well and you have any of the above symptoms, you may have sleep apnea.
Call Long Island Dental Specialty, or visit us online at www.longislanddentalspecialty.com to schedule an appointment at your convenience. We're among the best in the area for dentistry and sleep apnea treatments, and we're sure you'll be happy with your treatment. Call us today.
We look forward to speaking with you.
