How Sleep Apnea Affects Oral Health

You may not think of the dentist at first when you picture sleep apnea, but nobody knows better than experts at our local downtown LA dental office how sleep apnea affects oral health. Dealing with dangerous sleep disorders like these can lead to a number of dental health issues, ultimately leading to failing health all throughout the body. Today, we are going to list some negative implications of unchecked sleep apnea on overall oral health.

How Sleep Apnea Affects Oral Health

When sleeping is interrupted by a sudden shortness of breath, the constructed airways can cause sleep apnea. This dangerous condition occurs when breathing momentarily stops, which can interrupt much-needed sleep cycles. This lack of oxygen causes the sleeper to snore loudly, have hitched breaths during sleep, or even occasionally choke and gasp for breath while asleep.

While some folks don’t notice the effects of sleep apnea right away, common symptoms include consistent fatigue, headaches, jaw pain, and high blood pressure. Whether or not you believe you may be suffering from sleep apnea, it is a good idea to speak with your dentist about it.

Oral Health Problems from Sleep Apnea

You may not believe that you are displaying some of the biggest symptoms of sleep apnea, but it may be showing up in your overall dental health. The following issues should be addressed with your dental professional as soon as possible.

TMJ

Also called a temporomandibular joint disorder, TMJ highlights pain in the hinges of the jaw that connect the upper and lower parts of the mouth. Your TMJ issues might increase as a result of sleep apnea, since you may be unconsciously clenching your jaw for hours on end throughout the night.

Tooth Grinding

Going hand-in-hand with TMJ pain, teeth grinding can occur overnight when exhibiting symptoms of sleep apnea. When your airways become obstructed, you may start grinding or clenching your mouth in order to clear up those breathing pathways. This can result in pain and headaches during your waking hours, which can be detrimental to your health.

Dry Mouth

Snoring with your mouth open at night can result in some pretty serious dry mouth. Whether you are aware of having sleep apnea or not, it’s a good idea to treat instances of dry mouth right away to avoid an increased risk of infections and cavities. Your expert dentist may recommend a filling or even a round of antibiotics to fully clean out your mouth.

Do You Have Sleep Apnea?

There are several ways to diagnose this harmful sleeping condition. Since it has so many effects on your oral health, you can visit a dentist for a sleep apnea diagnosis and treatment. You are more likely to have sleep apnea if you are dealing with congestive heart failure or are at risk of having a stroke. Heavy drinkers are also at a higher risk of sleep apnea. If you have nasal congestion out of nowhere, you may also be a likely candidate for sleep apnea treatment.

Receive Personalized Sleep Apnea Treatment Today

At Samaritan Dental Arts, we want to treat more than just the surface of your teeth. Oral health is deeply connected to the rest of the body, so when it starts to suffer, you are bound to feel worse and worse. Get effective sleep apnea treatment near you today when you contact our experts for a full diagnosis and care plan. Sleep apnea can result in symptoms of snoring, dry mouth, and an increased likelihood of gum disease. Avoid all of these issues and set yourself up for a future of good dental health when you contact us ASAP.