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Everyone snores sometimes. However, chronic snoring is generally linked to the sleep disorder obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), which includes symptoms such as paused breathing during sleep, high blood pressure, nighttime chest pain, and morning headaches. This sleep issue can also affect your oral health. Here, the renowned dentists of King Campbell, DDS, PLLC in Pagosa Springs, CO, outline the connection between oral health and snoring:

How Snoring Affects Oral Health: Your Pagosa Springs Dentist Explains

Dry Mouth

Saliva flushes the mouth of dead cells and prevents bacteria and other harmful organisms from multiplying too quickly. It also washes away food particles and neutralizes decay-causing acids. Snoring dries out the mouth, leaving it susceptible to bacteria, sores and infections, gingivitis, halitosis, and gum disease. It can also increase the chances of tooth decay and burning mouth syndrome.

Weakened Teeth & Jaw Pain

dentistIn addition to dry mouth issues, snoring frequently stresses the teeth and jaw. The jaw clamps down to keep the airway open, and therefore, free of throat issue, causing discomfort and pain. If the sleep disorder remains untreated, this clamping action wears teeth down and makes them vulnerable to fractures and breaks. It can also cause pain when you are chewing food or gum.

Treatments

Snoring treatment may be as simple as using different pillows to keep the airway from collapsing. Assorted devices are also used for more severe cases, such as mandibular advancement devices and customer retainers that attach to the lower jaw to keep it in place and the airways open. Some oral appliances for snoring can cause bite changes as well as facial and dental pain among other symptoms, making it important to review each option to determine which is best for your oral health.

Dr. Campbell will be happy to discuss oral appliances and other sleep apnea treatments with you during your next dental exam. Schedule an appointment with the Pagosa Springs dentist today or visit the website to learn more about general and cosmetic dentistry services in his state-of-the-art facility. See what patients say about King Campbell, DDS, PLLC on Yelp.

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