More than 18 million Americans today are suffering from Sleep Apnea.
More than 18 million Americans today are suffering from Sleep Apnea. It is an extremely common medical condition. Sleep apnea has been linked to all sorts of other medical health concerns. It can also have some negative effects on your dental health. If you have sleep apnea, make sure you let your dentist know so that they can help to protect your teeth.
Grinding Teeth
Teeth grinding, or bruxism is common among those who suffer from sleep apnea. The grinding damages your enamel and can drastically increase your risk for tooth decay. Bruxism can also lead to temporomandibular joint (TMJ) syndrome, which causes pinched nerves and tension headaches and can even cause random pain when performing normal activities. Bruxism can be prevented with a night guard. Talk to your dentist about your options for preventing bruxism.
Dry Mouth
Saliva is your mouth’s first line of defense against decay. It helps to keep food debris from sticking and neutralizes acids that can harm your teeth. Many people who suffer from sleep apnea snore, and snoring can cause your mouth to dry out. If this happens, your saliva won’t be able to protect your teeth anymore. This can lead to all sorts of infections, halitosis (bad breath), and many other dental problems. Keeping a large glass of water next to your bed at night can help with this. Running a humidifier at night can also help, as the moisture in the air can help reduce the intensity of snoring.
Possible Tooth Loss
When left untreated for an extended period of time, sleep apnea can actually cause you to lose teeth. When your tooth sockets dry out, it causes your teeth to loosen and eventually fall out. If you also grind your teeth at night, it can hasten the falling out. Your dentist can help you mitigate a lot of these risks, just talk to them about your condition and discuss your options.
You Can Trust Olney Dental for All of Your Oral Care Needs
For all of your oral care questions and concerns, Olney Dental has the expertise and professionalism to get them the answers they need. Olney Dental is ready to supply you with expert service in a professional environment. Schedule an appointment online today! For more information on how we can give your family the best dentist experience available, give us a call at (301) 250-1057 or contact us online. For more dental tips, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Google+, YouTube, and Pinterest.