Sleep apnea is a sleep disorder which usually triggers other sleep issues, such as insomnia and snoring. The connection between sleep apnea and oral health is very close as sleep apnea can trigger oral health issues and the dental problem can be the culprit of sleep apnea. So, here is everything you should know about the connection between sleep apnea and oral health.

Sleep Apnea

Sleep apnea is the most common sleep disorder and it currently affects 25 million American adults. Its symptoms usually include repeated breathing interruptions, called apneas, during sleep cycles. The apneas are triggered by tissue collapses of the airway related to weak airway muscles, a large tongue, being overweight, or other risk factors. Hence, these apneas don’t allow oxygen to reach the lungs.

Sleep apnea can be a life-threatening condition as it disrupts the sleep cycle and has a huge impact on long-term health. If this condition is left untreated, it can lead to oxygen drops, increased blood pressure, and heart strain.

Some of the most common symptoms of sleep apnea are:

• Frequent and loud snoring
• Gasping for air during sleep
• Reduced and absent breathing
• Fatigue and daytime sleepiness
• Low attention and concentration
• Forgetfulness
• Waking up often during the night to urinate
• Dry mouth and headaches upon waking
• Sexual dysfunction and decreased libido

Additionally, many women experience depression, anxiety, and frequent wakening. On the other hand, children with sleep apnea may experience bed-wetting, hyperactivity, exacerbation, and academic performance problems.

The risks of sleep apnea are many, including being over 40 years old, being overweight, a family history of snoring, being male, having a large neck, being a post-menopausal woman, and having sinus or nasal issues or a small jaw bone.

The Connection Between Sleep Apnea and Oral Health

Proper and quality sleep boosts your overall health, as well as, your oral health. Hence, it reduces mouth ulcers, bad breath, and development and progression of gum disease. Some of the most common dental issues which are linked to sleep apnea are TMJ disorders, bruxism, and mouth breathing.

Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) Disorders

The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders and sleep apnea are very closely connected. Every person has two TMJ joints, one on each side of the face, and they connect the lower jaw to the upper jaw. When there is a TMJ disorder, you might experience head, neck, shoulder, and jaw pain, issues chewing, the inability to open or close the mouth for a period of time, a grinding sound of your jaw joints.

A 2013 study revealed that people who have sleep apnea are also likely to suffer from a TMJ disorder. This study discovered that people with two or more signs of sleep apnea had a 73 percent higher risk for a TMJ disorder regardless of their age, weight, race, or smoking history.

Bruxism

Bruxism is a condition characterized by grinding the teeth or clenching the jaw. The condition can occur at any time of the day, but it’s more common while sleeping. Bruxism has a negative impact on the sleep as it triggers headaches, waking up unrefreshed, and experiencing jaw and neck pain. It has been estimated that about 31 percent of adults have bruxism and at least a quarter of them may have sleep apnea. 

Bruxism is a sleep-related disorder as it triggers the uncontrolled and involuntary movement of the jaw during sleep. Many people aren’t aware that they have bruxism, but the dentist can see that. So, some of the most common signs that you have bruxism are eroded tooth surfaces, broken teeth, loose teeth, and mouth and throat dryness upon awakening.

Mouth Breathing

Sleep apnea is also a culprit of mouth breathing, which results in dry mouth and causes tooth decay, plaque, gingivitis, periodontal disease, and mouth sores.

Sleep Apnea and Oral Health in Children

Children can also experience sleep apnea and they might have oral health issues too. So, children with sleep apnea often breathe through their mouth, which causes serious problems with their teeth and gums. Hence, many children can face cavities, periodontal disease, tooth pain and sensitivity, gum bleeding, and mouth sores.

Treatment Options

There are a number of symptoms of sleep apnea which are specific to dental problems, including tightness and pain in jaw joints, clenching and grinding teeth during sleep, sore and raw spots from chewing the inside of one or both cheeks, and dull headaches. Your dentist might check these symptoms and suggest ways to alleviate them. Moreover, your physician can determine whether your dental issues are triggered by sleep apnea or some other health problem.

When it comes to treatment options, it’s best if you get diagnosed with sleep apnea and start using a CPAP machine, as the most effective treatment available. Likewise, to alleviate the dental symptoms, your dentist will probably recommend orthodontic treatment, dental mouth piece to prevent clenching or grinding, and treatments for dry mouth. The best possible treatment for your dental problems are mouthpieces, which are life-changing.