Good dental health is important in the prevention of plaque build-up, gum disease, and bad breath. But did you know that your oral health has an impact on sleep apnea? Sleep apnea, or repeated breathing interruptions during sleep cycles, is a sleep disorder that can stem from many causes, including excess weight and age. The guide below discusses how sleep apnea is connected to your oral health. 

How Can My Oral Health Affect My Sleep?

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is the most common form of sleep apnea. It is evidenced by airway obstruction, often resulting in snoring and pauses in breathing. Studies conducted by the dental community have found a link between OSA and periodontitis, a serious gum infection. Based on these findings, dentists recommend maintaining good oral health, especially if you’re at risk for OSA. 

There is also a correlation between sleep apnea and TMJ disorders. TMJ issues are usually seen in the form of jaw pain, locked jaw, and difficulty chewing. When your airway becomes restricted due to OSA, your jaw moves to compensate for it. This leads to added stress on the TMJ joints, which can cause complications if allowed to continue. 

How Can Proper Dentistry Help?

Although sleep apnea is typically diagnosed by medical doctors, your dentist can identify the signs early on. They can also provide or recommend some modifications that could help with your OSA, including sleep position adjustments, mainly avoiding sleeping on your back. 

Your dental team may also recommend a CPAP machine, which provides you with airflow and keeps air passages open when you’re sleeping, or orthodontic corrections for better teeth alignment. A dentist can also prescribe a mouthpiece, which can be custom-made to fit your teeth. This will help support your jaw, keeping airways from collapsing while you sleep. In mild cases of sleep apnea, a mouthguard can actually resolve the issue completely. 
 

If you’re concerned about your risk for sleep apnea or have already been diagnosed with OSA, call Ronald W. Ristow, D.D.S., L.L.C., in Oconto Falls, WI. His expert team has the collective experience and customer service to make any interaction, from fillings and cleanings to sleep apnea screening or simple questions, as painless as possible for their patients. Visit them online to browse their services or call (920) 846-3163 to schedule an appointment.