The Impact of Sleep Apnea on Oral Health

Many people think sleep apnea is a physical ailment that affects only their quality of sleep. However, sleep apnea can adversely affect many areas of your life, including your oral health.

What Is Sleep Apnea?

There are two types of sleep apnea: obstructive sleep apnea, or OSA, and central sleep apnea. OSA is the most common and occurs when the throat muscles become overly relaxed. This obstructs the airways and causes symptoms such as: 

• Daytime fatigue
• Excessive, loud snoring
• Sore throat or dry mouth in the morning 
• Waking up gasping for air 

If any of these apply to you, call Thurm Dental Group to schedule an appointment with a sleep apnea dentist. When not treated, sleep apnea can cause physiological problems such as heart disease, hypertension, and stroke, so don’t ignore these symptoms.

How Does Sleep Apnea Affect My Oral Health?

Dry Mouth  

You need ample saliva in your mouth to maintain hydration and oral health. Sleep apnea causes your mouth to become dry, so bacteria isn’t eliminated through your saliva, and you’re more prone to gum disease. Lack of saliva also causes halitosis and cavities.

Your Thurm Dental Group dentist can help prevent dry mouth through our treatments for sleep apnea, so contact us today.

Bruxism 

Also called teeth grinding, bruxism can cause:

• Jaw pain
• Headaches
• TMJ, or temporomandibular joint problems 
• Worn or chipped teeth 

Your dentist can prescribe a custom-fitted night guard or other oral appliance to protect your teeth while improving your sleep.

Gum Disease 

When your sleep is chronically interrupted, you can develop chronic inflammation, which will reduce your body’s ability to fight infection and disease. If you already have gum disease, it can make it worse.

How Can My Dentist Help With Sleep Apnea? 

During your appointment, your dentist will check for signs of sleep apnea and may suggest: 

• Custom oral appliances to keep your airways open throughout the night
• Screening for sleep apnea
• Treatment for TMJ and bruxism 

All our solutions are non-invasive and comfortable, and best of all, they can dramatically improve your sleep quality and reduce the likelihood of side effects of sleep apnea.

Let Us Help 

It may seem counterintuitive to see your dentist for sleep apnea, but it’s a common issue that we treat often. Your oral health and your physical health are inextricably linked, so maintaining good oral health will help you maintain better physical health.

Call Thurm Dental Group at (856) 335-1775 to schedule a consultation, or you can visit us online at https://www.thurmdental.com/make-an-appointment/ to schedule at your convenience. We’re among the best in the area for sleep apnea treatments, and we’re sure you’ll be happy with our service. 

Call us today. We look forward to working with you.