Sleep apnea is quite common, affecting an estimated 25 million adults. It is a condition that affects much more than your quality of sleep. It can affect many parts of the body. One of those parts of the body is your teeth and mouth. Dr. Harry Squire and Dr. Paul LeTellier at Chesapeake Family and Implant Dentistry located in Chesapeake, VA commonly treat sleep apnea.
Symptoms of Sleep Apnea on Dental Health
When an individual acquires sleep apnea, the effects range from snoring at night to intermittent periods of interruptions in breathing, leading you to wake up and gasp for breath. This occurs because of one or all of the following reasons: muscles become flaccid in the back of the throat, the tongue is too big, or the jaw is too small to accommodate the tongue. All of these can lead to airway obstructions. Tell your dental professionals in Chesapeake, VA about these sleep apnea symptoms if you are experiencing any of them.
TMJ
Research has shown that temporomandibular joint disorders are significantly correlated with sleep apnea. A recent study suggested that patients with Sleep Apnea had a 73% increased risk for developing TMJ disorders. The symptoms of TMJ disorder include:
- Painful jaw
- Clicking or locking either jaw joint, making it difficult to fully open or close your mouth.
- Pain while chewing
- Overall, there is aching pain in the face.
Treating temporomandibular disorders involves exercises and modalities used to train the mouth to bite properly. A dental orthotic or nightguard may be suggested to wear for a time. However, these treatments for TMJ disorders may exacerbate sleep apnea, so these treatments need to be individualized and closely monitored.
Bruxism
Sleep apnea may also cause bruxism, which is the grinding of the teeth during the night. This can wear down the teeth, and you may not even be aware that you are doing it. This is another case in which wearing a nightguard worn at night may be recommended.
Mouth Breathing
The effects of sleep apnea concerning your dental health are primarily from a dry mouth that may lead to tooth decay. This is a result of commonly breathing through an open mouth during sleep. Mouth breathing and dry mouth can lead to additional ramifications that can occur from a dental perspective in individuals who have sleep apnea. These are greater plaque accumulation, mouth sores, gingivitis, and periodontal disease.
Quality sleep is essential to your overall well-being. Dr. Squire and Dr. LeTellier at Chesapeake Family and Implant Dentistry located in Chesapeake, VA both treat sleep apnea. If you suspect that sleep apnea may be the cause of dental issues you are experiencing as of late, schedule a consultation with our dental experts by calling (757) 436-0026.