Sleep Apnea is a common problem for many people. The correlation between snoring & sleep apnea and your oral health is more related than you think. With an abnormal breathing pattern, it is not a good sign for your overall health. However, research has proven that snoring & sleep apnea is a big contributor to poor oral health.
There are a variety of oral concerns that are linked with snoring & sleep apnea. At times, you may experience facial soreness, stiff jaw muscles, and headaches when waking up in the morning. When you experience this daily, there is a connection to degrading oral health. Symptoms such as these link to teeth grinding, also known as Bruxism. Signs that you grind your teeth during sleep have an adverse effect on the health of your teeth. Bruxism typically occurs if you have a sleeping disorder.
Sleep apnea occurs when the throat muscles relax when sleeping which blocks and interrupts the airway from smooth breathing. When sleeping, this cannot be noticed unless a partner or a house member notice. Dental problems that are associated with snoring & sleep apnea include risk of bad breath, ulcers in the mouth, periodontal disease and TMJ disorder.
When diagnosed with an oral health issue, this interrupts your sleeping habits and puts yourself at higher risk with other adverse health problems including:
- Metabolic rate
- Diabetes
- High blood pressure
- Poor focus
- Anxiety
- Heart Disease
How To Reduce Snoring & Sleep Apnea And Improve Oral Health
There are a number of ways in which you can manage your oral health for the better. This includes reducing sleep apnea. Sleep apnea isn’t particularly a condition that solely requires treatment. Follow these tips to improve your oral health, limit chances of teeth grinding and improve the quality of your sleep:
- Adopt A Positive Diet – One of the symptoms of snoring & sleep apnea is being overweight. Being overweight leaves a layer of fat around the neck, obstructing your breathing. Begin to adopt a positive diet containing healthy foods rich in calcium and fibre such as vegetables, soup, and potatoes. Not only will you benefit from weight loss, but it will also significantly reduce your weight, gradually opening your airwaves.
- Purchase a Mouthguard – A dental mouthguard to wear at night helps to keep a gap between the upper and lower teeth and relax the jaw muscles. A mouthguard is also beneficial to protect teeth from further wear-and-tear. Wear them when sleeping. This will significantly improve the quality of your sleep.
Do you need a mouthguard? Read here to learn if you do
- Visit A Dentist – Seeking advice and recommendations from a dentist is a sensible approach. Before diving into any CPAP treatment, the dentist can help you alleviate any dental concerns and symptoms through behaviour changes so that you better manage oral health and sleep quality. If necessary, the dentist will recommend orthodontic treatment if teeth are severely degraded.
If you’re suffering from snoring and sleep apnea and are worried about the effect it’s having on your oral health, contact Wahroonga Dental Group and let our experienced dental team deliver healthy and happier oral health.