While nearly 22 million Americans are estimated to have sleep apnea, nearly 80% of these cases go undiagnosed. The majority of individuals with the condition experience obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), in which airways become blocked during sleep and prevent proper breathing. In addition to increasing your risk of heart disease, weight gain, and depression, OSA increases your chances of getting cavities and dry mouth. If you or a loved one experiences sleep apnea, here’s how a dentist can help.

What Are Signs of Obstructive Sleep Apnea?

OSA often goes unrecognized because you experience most of its symptoms during sleep. If someone reports you snore, are restless, and wake frequently throughout the night, you may have sleep apnea. If you feel fatigued every day despite sleeping for 8 hours, you might also be affected.

The most effective way to diagnose sleep apnea is to talk to a doctor. They might recommend you participate in a sleep study, which involves sleeping in a lab so they can document your sleep patterns.

How Does It Affect Dental Health?

Nearly 1 in 4 people with OSA grind their teeth as they sleep, a behavior known as bruxism. Over time, this can cause your enamel to wear down, increasing your risk of cavities and tooth sensitivity. Constant grinding can also lead to temporomandibular joint dysfunction, which causes jaw pain.

Your mouth typically stays open when you snore, which causes dry mouth. Oral bacteria thrives in a dry mouth, increasing your chances of developing tooth decay or gum disease.

How Can a Dentist Help?

If you’re looking for an alternative to bulky CPAP breathing machines to treat sleep apnea, ask your dentist about oral appliances. Customized to fit your mouth, these devices are designed to keep your airways open, preventing snoring, oxygen depletion, and nighttime grinding. This will both radically improve your quality of sleep and that of your partner and prevent OSA from harming your smile.

If you’re interested in oral appliances to treat your sleep apnea and improve your quality of life, turn to Thomas J. Munger III, DDS in Anchorage, AK. Providing preventive, restorative, and cosmetic dentistry, Dr. Munger provides the latest in dental solutions, including oral appliances to treat sleep apnea, Fastbraces® for straight teeth in weeks, and Snap-On Smiles® for instant results. Visit this dentist online to learn more about sleep apnea, or call (907) 345-3744 to schedule an appointment.