Reviewed by Dr. Alan Baughman, DMD, MBA
Reading time: four minutes.
Have you ever wondered why your dentist seems so interested in your sleep habits? It might seem odd, but there’s a strong connection between oral health and sleep apnea.
In this blog, Dr. Baughman explains how sleep apnea affects oral health and what you can do to protect your teeth and gums.
Table of Contents
- What is Sleep Apnea?
- Sleep Apnea and Oral Health
- The Role of Your Dentist in Sleep Apnea Treatment
- Oral Appliances: A Comfortable Treatment Option
- FAQs about Sleep Apnea
- Clearwater Dentistry: Your Dentist in Greeley CO
Key Takeaway
Sleep apnea can significantly impact your oral health, causing issues like dry mouth, teeth grinding, and gum disease. Dentists can identify potential sleep apnea through oral examinations and offer effective treatment options like oral appliances as an alternative to CPAP.
What is Sleep Apnea?
It is a sleep disorder characterized by breathing pauses during your sleep. These pauses can last from a few seconds to several minutes, and they occur repeatedly throughout the night. There are two main types:
- Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA): The most common type, where the soft tissues in the back of the upper airway throat relax and block the airway.
- Central sleep apnea: Less common, caused by the brain when it fails to send signals to the muscles that control your breathing.
Symptoms of Sleep Apnea
- Loud snoring
- Choking or gasping during sleep
- Daytime sleepiness
- Morning headaches
- Difficulty concentrating
- High blood pressure
- Waking up repeatedly in the middle of the night
- Night sweats
- Irritability
- Anxiety/Depression
- Sexual dysfunction
- Weight gain
Sleep Apnea and Oral Health
You might be surprised to learn that sleep apnea can have a significant impact on your oral health. Here’s how:
- Dry mouth: Sleep apnea often leads to mouth breathing, which can cause dry mouth. Saliva is important for protecting teeth and gums, so its reduction can increase the risk of cavities and gum disease.
- Grinding teeth (bruxism): People with sleep apnea are more likely to grind their teeth at night, which can wear down tooth enamel, causing jaw pain and eventual tooth decay.
- Gum disease: Sleep apnea is linked to inflammation throughout the body, including in the gums. This can contribute to gum disease.
The Role of Your Dentist in Sleep Apnea Treatment
Your dentist plays an important role in identifying potential sleep apnea. During routine dental examinations, they look for signs and risk factors associated with sleep apnea, such as a thick neck, narrow upper and lower jaw arches, a small airway in the throat, tooth wear, crowded teeth, enlarged tonsils, and a large tongue. These oral characteristics can contribute to airway obstruction during sleep.
If they suspect you may have sleep apnea based on your dental and medical history, your dentist will refer you to a primary care physician or sleep specialist for a proper diagnosis. A sleep study, often called a polysomnography, is a diagnostic test that monitors your breathing, brain waves, and other bodily functions during sleep. It helps to confirm a diagnosis of sleep apnea and determine its severity.
Though sleep apnea is typically treated with a CPAP machine, many patients find it uncomfortable or inconvenient.
Oral Appliances: A Comfortable Treatment Option
Oral appliances, also known as oral appliance therapy, are custom-made dental devices designed to treat mild to moderate sleep apnea. These devices work by gently repositioning the lower jaw and tongue to keep the airway open during sleep.
Benefits of Oral Appliances
- Improved sleep quality
- Reduced snoring
- Increased energy levels
- Decreased risk of heart disease, stroke, and other health problems
Types of Oral Appliances
- Mandibular advancement devices (MADs): These devices gently shift the lower jaw forward, preventing the airway from collapsing.
- Tongue-retaining devices: These devices hold the tongue in place, preventing it from blocking the airway.
*At Clearwater Dentistry we can fabricate custom-made MAD designed specifically for you.
FAQs about Sleep Apnea
Yes, dental problems can contribute to the development of sleep apnea. Issues such as an overcrowded mouth, misaligned jaws, or a high/arched palate can impede airflow during sleep.
Yes, dental appliances, particularly mandibular advancement devices (MADs), can effectively help manage mild to moderate sleep apnea. By gently repositioning the lower jaw and tongue during sleep, these devices help keep the airway open, reducing breathing interruptions and improving sleep quality.
Clearwater Dentistry: Your Dentist in Greeley CO
If you or your loved ones are experiencing symptoms of sleep apnea, contact us at Clearwater Dentistry. We can help identify any potential risk factors and provide a referral for a sleep study if needed.
If you are searching for ‘oral appliances for sleep apnea in Greeley, CO’ or the ‘best dentist near me’ we can help. Call (970) 515-3550 to book an appointment or complete the online inquiry form.
