If you’re waking up with symptoms like jaw pain, dry mouth, or aching teeth, you could be dealing with sleep apnea.
Many people don’t realize they have untreated sleep apnea until a partner complains about their loud snoring, but by then, their oral health problems may already be evident.
This sleep disorder can be directly linked to oral health, causing problems like tooth decay, gum disease, and even TMJ disorders. In this article, we’ll discuss how sleep apnea affects oral health and how to treat it.
What Is Sleep Apnea?
Sleep apnea is a sleep disorder that causes repeated pauses in breathing during sleep. These interruptions prevent oxygen from reaching the lungs, leading to fragmented sleep and serious health consequences.
It’s reported that 5.4 million Canadians have sleep apnea but many haven’t yet been diagnosed. This means that many more people are struggling with apnea symptoms like loud snoring, daytime fatigue, and dry mouth without realizing the root cause.
How Sleep Apnea Affects Oral Health
Sleep apnea and oral health are more connected than most people realize. Over time, sleep apnea can lead to periodontal disease, TMJ disorders, teeth grinding, and chronic dry mouth, all of which can cause lasting dental health issues.
- Teeth Grinding: If you wake up with jaw aches or tension in your lower jaw, you might be clenching and grinding your teeth at night. This condition, known as bruxism, is common among sleep apnea sufferers.
- TMJ Disorders: Over time, teeth grinding wears down teeth, causes fractures, and contributes to TMJ disorders, which affect the temporomandibular joint. In fact, people with sleep apnea symptoms are three times more likely to have TMJ disorder than those without.
- Mouth Breathing and Dry Mouth: Since apneic episodes often cause people to breathe through their mouths at night, this leads to dry mouth, creating the perfect storm for bad breath and mouth sores.
- Soft Palate Issues and Sore Throat: If you wake up with a sore throat, it could be due to irritation from constant airway obstruction. Sleep apnea symptoms often involve the soft palate vibrating aggressively, inflaming the throat and making swallowing uncomfortable.
The Dentist’s Role In Diagnosing Sleep Apnea
Most people don’t think of their dentist when it comes to sleep apnea, but they should.
Your dentist can get a close-up look at your tooth surfaces, upper jaw, and throat multiple times a year, giving them an opportunity to spot early signs of sleep apnea.
During a routine exam, your dentist may notice telltale signs of sleep apnea, including:
- Grinding teeth (bruxism) leading to tooth wear, broken teeth, or tooth decay
- Neck and jaw pain linked to airway obstructions and TMJ issues
- Mouth breathing causing dry mouth, gum inflammation, and cavities
- Structural risk factors, such as a small airway, a recessed upper jaw, or a large tongue
Because sleep-disordered breathing affects sleep quality and long-term health, dentists are increasingly adding sleep disorder screenings to patient intake forms. If you’re experiencing symptoms like restless sleep, daytime fatigue, or loud snoring, they may refer you for a home sleep study or to a sleep specialist for further evaluation.
Treatment Options Provided By Dentists
Fortunately, dentists play a critical role in offering treatment options that improve both your breathing and your dental health while helping you get a good night’s sleep.
While continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machines are the standard treatment for obstructive sleep apnea, they’re not for everyone. Some patients find them uncomfortable, noisy, or difficult to use. That’s where oral appliances custom-fitted by dentists come in.
Mandibular Advancement Devices (MADs) are alternative treatments that reposition the jaw and tongue to keep the airway open during sleep.
There are also tongue-stabilizing devices for those with weak teeth. These devices hold the tongue in place using suction, preventing it from blocking airflow.
Regular check-ups help prevent dental problems caused by teeth grinding, allow your dentist to monitor the effectiveness of your oral appliance, and ensure that the treatment improves sleep.
The Benefits Of Dental Treatment For Sleep Apnea
Traditional treatments like CPAP machines aren’t always ideal. They can be bulky, noisy, and difficult to consistently use.
That’s why dental solutions like custom oral appliances are becoming a preferred treatment option for those looking to improve their sleep without the hassle of a machine. Beyond just helping you get a good night’s sleep, oral appliances can significantly reduce the negative impact of sleep apnea on your overall health.
Unlike CPAP machines, which require wearing a mask connected to a hose, oral appliances fit comfortably inside the mouth, allowing for natural breathing. This makes them a practical option for those who find CPAP therapy too disruptive.
Since TMJ connects the jaw joints to the skull, disruptions caused by sleep apnea can lead to jaw aches, sore throat, and tension headaches. Oral appliances help by repositioning the jaw to reduce strain and improve airflow. Untreated sleep apnea is linked to high blood pressure, congestive heart failure, and metabolic disorders.
The Future Of Dental Sleep Medicine
Next-generation treatment options include oral appliances embedded with wearable sensors that track breathing patterns, jaw positioning, and sleep quality. These devices provide real-time data to both patients and healthcare providers, allowing for adjustments that enhance sleep apnea treatment and improve restful sleep outcomes.
Artificial intelligence is a big topic of discussion for all industries, and it’s no different with dental health. Machine learning is revolutionizing how sleep apnea affects patients differently. By analyzing large datasets, AI can predict risk factors and customize dental treatments.
Conclusion
If sleep apnea is keeping you up at night and wreaking havoc with your oral health, it’s time to take action. Ignoring the problem won’t make it go away, but the right treatment options will.
At Fresh Dental, we specialize in protecting your teeth from the damaging effects of sleep apnea, TMJ disorders, and teeth grinding. Whether you need custom night guards in Winnipeg to prevent further dental problems or are looking for long-term solutions to improve your sleep quality, we’ve got you covered. Call Fresh Dental today to schedule your appointment.