Are you having trouble breathing while you sleep? Here’s what you need to know. Read about sleep apnea and how it affects your oral health.
What is Sleep Apnea?
Sleep apnea is a common sleep problem where people have trouble breathing. This happens because the throat’s muscles are not strong enough, and it can be made worse by being overweight or having a giant tongue. When this happens, air can’t get to the lungs properly.
Because of sleep apnoea, people don’t get good sleep, which can make them feel tired during the day and affect their health in the long run. If it’s not treated, it can even be dangerous because it can lead to low oxygen levels, high blood pressure, and stress on the heart.
Types
Sleep-disordered breathing can come in three forms:
Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA): OSA is the most common type, making up more than 80% of cases in the U.S. It happens when the muscles in your throat, like your tongue and soft palate, relax too much, which narrows your airway. OSA can be caused by various things, from issues with your teeth to sinus problems, allergies, or being overweight.
Central Sleep Apnea: This is a neurological problem where your brain doesn’t tell your muscles to breathe correctly during sleep. It often occurs alongside other neurological issues like strokes or Parkinson’s disease.
Complex Sleep Apnea: This type combines central and obstructive sleep apnea. Even after fixing the airway blockage, breathing problems continue in complex sleep apnea.
Signs
Some signs of sleep-disordered breathing include:
- Not breathing well during sleep.
- Snoring loudly and often.
- Waking up suddenly to catch their breath.
- Feeling very tired during the day.
- Need help paying attention and remembering things.
- Waking up with a dry mouth and headaches.
- Going to the bathroom a lot at night.
- Grinding your teeth while you sleep
- Feeling pain in your jaw joints and having them feel tight.
- Having sore spots inside your cheeks from biting.
- Getting dull headaches that start at your temples.
If you have these symptoms, talk to your dentist. They can suggest ways to help. Your regular doctor can determine if these issues are because of sleep apnea or some other sleep problem.
Risk Factors
People who are more likely to suffer from sleep-disordered breathing are usually overweight, have family members who snore or have sleep apnea, and are male. Other things that can raise the risk are:
- Being over 40 years old.
- Being a woman who has gone through menopause (the time when women stop having periods).
- Having a big neck.
- Having big tonsils or a giant tongue.
- Having a small jawbone.
- Having trouble with the nose or sinuses.
Sleep Apnea and Oral Health Connection
Having a good sleep is not only crucial for your overall health but also for your oral health. When you don’t sleep well, it can lead to problems like bad breath, mouth sores, and gum disease. Some dental issues related to sleep problems include TMJ disorders, teeth grinding, and breathing through the mouth.
TMJ
The TMJ is a joint in your jaw that helps you open and close your mouth. If it’s not working right, it can cause problems like jaw pain, headaches, and trouble chewing.
A study in 2013 found that people with sleep problems were more likely to have TMJ issues.
In fact, those with signs of sleep apnea were at a higher risk for TMJ problems, no matter their age, race, smoking habits, or weight. So, getting good sleep is not only good for your body but also for your jaw and mouth.
Teeth Grinding (Bruxism)
Bruxism is when you grind your teeth or clench your jaw, and it often happens when you’re sleeping. It can make your sleep less restful and cause headaches, as well as pain in your neck and jaw.
Research shows that up to 31% of adults might have bruxism, and at least a quarter of them might also have sleep-disordered breathing, which is another sleep problem. Bruxism is connected to sleep because it makes your jaw move involuntarily while you sleep.
You might not realize you have it, but your dentist could find signs during a checkup. Signs can include loose teeth, damaged tooth surfaces, or teeth that are cracked, chipped, or broken.
Your dentist might also ask if you have pain in your head, neck, face, or jaw, as well as dryness in your lips, mouth, and throat when you wake up.
Mouth Breathing
Sleep apnea makes people breathe through their mouth, leading to a dry mouth and tooth problems. When your mouth is dry, it can cause plaque, mouth sores, gum inflammation (gingivitis), and gum disease (periodontal disease).
Research has found that many people with sleep apnea also have gum disease, and gingivitis is common among them. So, if you have sleep-disordered breathing and breathe through your mouth at night, it can harm your teeth and gums.
Sleep Apnea in Children
Sleep-disordered breathing can affect kids, too. Up to 4% of children aged two to eight may have it, as per the American Sleep Apnea Association. This sleep problem can harm their health, and it can also hurt their teeth and gums.
Research in the Journal of Dental Sleep Medicine shows that children with sleep issues often have dental troubles, like cavities and gum problems. When dentists checked these kids, they found that those with sleep problems were three times more likely to have cavities. Their gums were also more swollen, making deep spaces between their teeth, up to three times deeper. These kids had more bleeding gums, tooth pain, sensitivity, and mouth sores. So, sleep issues in children can lead to dental problems that shouldn’t be ignored.
Treatment
Treatment for sleep apnea usually comes from a medical doctor who might recommend things like a CPAP machine. But your dentist can also help with dental problems linked to sleep apnea. They suggest improving your sleep, taking care of your teeth, fixing tooth alignment issues, treating dry mouth, or giving you a special mouthpiece to stop teeth grinding.
These mouthpieces can be custom-made by your dentist, but they can be expensive. However, they can improve your sleep and dental issues. There are also cheaper options you can find online, but it’s a good idea to talk to your dentist before buying one.
Conclusion
The blog guides you on sleep apnea and its impact on oral health. If you notice any signs of it, consult your doctor for treatment. Contact Dentalsway for more information. We are here to help you maintain your oral health.
