Does Sleep Apnea Increase Your Risk of Gum Disease?

Does your partner complain about your snoring? You may be affected by sleep apnea. Many people who suffer from this common sleep disorder frequently snore at night and experience headaches and fatigue during the day. However, new research has also uncovered a troubling link between sleep apnea and gum disease. Continue reading below if you want to maintain a healthy smile and achieve quality sleep with the help of your dentist.  

What Is Sleep Apnea?

Sleep apnea is a common disorder that affects roughly 22 million Americans, according to the American Sleep Apnea Association. People with sleep apnea experience repeated breathing interruptions while they rest. These brief pauses can last 10 seconds or longer and usually occur dozens or even hundreds of times each night. In the most common form, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), breathing interruptions are caused when the neck tissue relaxes and blocks airflow. If left untreated, sleep apnea can contribute to serious health problems, such as high blood pressure, heart attacks, strokes, obesity, diabetes, and more.  

Sleep Apnea and Gum Disease

Rather than breathing with their noses, people with sleep apnea tend to breathe through their mouths. Mouth breathing can cause dry mouth by decreasing saliva flow. A dry mouth makes it easier for oral bacteria to thrive and cause gum inflammation.

In addition, people with sleep apnea also tend to grind their teeth. While more research needs to be done, one study has demonstrated a link between teeth grinding and acute gum disease. Bruxism can cause teeth to become loose, cracked, or chipped. As teeth become more mobile, the surrounding gum tissue can loosen and gum pockets can develop. Bacteria can accumulate in these gum pockets, which can be hard to reach with a toothbrush.

How to Treat Sleep Apnea

The traditional way to treat sleep apnea is with continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy. A CPAP machine pumps air through a facemask worn at night. While effective, many patients find the noise from the CPAP machine distracting and wearing the facemask uncomfortable. For these and other reasons, many patients are now seeking a more convenient, comfortable alternative.

If you are affected by sleep apnea and worried about your gum health, ask your dentist about oral appliance therapy. An oral appliance is a small custom-made mouthpiece that repositions the jaw to maintain airflow. Wearing an oral appliance nightly can greatly reduce sleep apnea symptoms. In addition, wearing an oral appliance prevents teeth grinding and may help you breathe through your nose instead of your mouth.  

Protect your oral health and achieve better rest by talking to your dentist today about sleep apnea treatment.

About the Author

Dr. Robert Dernick has over 40 years of experience helping patients achieve healthy smiles and quality sleep. The proud University of Texas graduate provides safe, effective, and non-invasive sleep apnea therapy in The Woodlands using custom-made oral appliances. To learn more about sleep apnea and gum disease, visit Dr. Dernick’s website or call 281-771-1294.