Sleep Apnea and Dental Health — What You Need to Know

Sleep apnea is a major sleeping disorder, and lots of people are suffering from it. The major symptom of sleep apnea is interruptions in the breathing patterns during sleep; they can happen up to multiple times per hour and ruin your sleep completely.

Improper breathing causes a reduction of the airflow to your vital organs, and it immensely affects your productivity the next day. Snoring and constant fatigue the next day are the most common results of sleep apnea; both are harmful to the overall health of the patient.

There is also a link between oral health and sleep apnea, and recent studies have proved this, like teeth grinding during sleeping, periodontal diseases, and dry mouth. With the help of a Grand Valley dentist, you will understand the relationship between oral health and sleep apnea and its treatment options.

Understand The Link Between Sleep Apnea And Oral Health.

Understanding the link between them is very necessary if you want to get it treated. This disorder is usually characterized by interrupted breath during sleep; it can happen for some seconds and, in severe cases, will continue for hours. Patients with sleep apnea go through these things:

Most people who are suffering from sleep apnea grind their teeth while they are sleeping; this is called Bruxism. Grinding your teeth is very harmful as it sheds the enamel away, and without the protective layer on it, nothing can stop the harm from your teeth. Professionals will provide you with mouthguards to wear during sleep so you do not grind your teeth excessively.

People with sleep apnea have parched mouths, which happens when their mouths do not produce the amount of saliva they need. The saliva is very necessary for neutralizing the acid produced by the foreign bacteria in your mouth, and dry mouth leads a person to gum diseases and tooth decay.

The inflammation caused by sleep apnea contributes greatly to the rotting of the gums in your mouth. This leads you to periodontal diseases. Regular check-ups for these conditions are necessary for your oral health.

Understand The Oral Appliances.

Oral appliances are the alternative for people who are suffering from mild to moderate sleep apnea and who can not bear Continuous Positive Airway Pressure. These devices are also known as mandibular advancement devices, and they are custom-made for every patient, which improves the effectiveness of the appliance.

Knowing how exactly an appliance works is very necessary. It slightly pushes your lower jaw and tongue forward so the air has a clear path to go inside the pipe. It gradually reduces the frequency of the pauses during the sleep. These things are more comfortable and portable than CPAP machines.

You need to follow a regular follow-up routine to ensure the safety of your oral health after getting an appliance. They also monitor your oral health and the effect of the appliances on your teeth and gums; then, they make suitable changes to your appliances.

What Else You Need To Do?

After getting your sleep apnea assessed and treated, you need to know what things you should do to ensure the well-being of your real health and your overall health. You need to change some of your lifestyle factors to ensure this.

Taking good care of your oral hygiene is one of the most important things you need to do. Brush your teeth twice daily, and remember to floss them; it is also very necessary. You can also use anti-microbial mouth rinses to ensure that the bacteria in your mouth are getting eradicated regularly.

Smoking is the most harmful thing for sleep apnea patients, as it worsens your conditions, and there is also a risk for oral cancer and gum diseases for the smoker. It also stains your teeth and makes them ugly to look at. You should quit smoking if you are suffering from sleep apnea.