Not only can this condition affect how awake you feel during the day, but it can also change how healthy your mouth is.
How often do you snore? It could be a sign of a condition called sleep apnea. Not only can this condition affect how awake you feel during the day, but it can also change how healthy your mouth is. Here is some more information about snoring and its connection to your oral health.
Why Does It Happen?
Before we go on, we need to look at why you snore in the first place. It could be allergies caused by ragweed or other spring allergens. Or your house and bedroom could be too dusty since you rarely have the time or energy to clean it. Then again, it could be something physical. For instance, your airways could be too narrow to give you enough air to breathe while you sleep. If you are congested, it can also impact your quality of sleep and determine whether or not you snore. Smoking can also affect how effective your lungs are since they could be filled with tar. As we noted before, your snoring could be an indicator of sleep apnea. You’ll need to speak with your doctor about the next steps to find out if this is the underlying problem.
How Does It Affect Oral Health?
Snoring can make your mouth uncomfortably dry. When your mouth and throat get too dry while you’re asleep, you could wake up coughing. Not only will this keep you from getting back to sleep easily, but it can also disturb the sleep of your partner or spouse. Lack of saliva can cause several different problems, such as tooth decay, mouth infections, gum disease, and bad breath.
Can It Be Treated?
Even if you do snore, it’s not the end of the world. That’s because snoring can be treated. A breathing machine can help pump more air into your lungs which can minimize snoring and treat your sleep apnea if you have it. Sometimes, you may also need to wear a night guard in combination with the machine, as the guard will keep your jaws open wider and help keep your airways open. Also, consider trying a new sleep position, such as sleeping on your side instead of on your back.
You Can Trust Olney Dental for All of Your Dental 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, YouTube, and Pinterest.