If you’re tossing and turning at night from sleep apnea, it can affect your general and mental health. Unfortunately, your mouth isn’t immune to the complications it can cause. Believe it or not, you can have a higher risk of gum disease, which is a leading culprit of tooth loss. Don’t let sleep apnea devastate your smile. Here’s what you need to know about sleep apnea and gum disease.
What’s the Connection?
Sleep apnea is a common condition that causes frequent interruptions in breathing throughout the night. Obstructive sleep apnea is the most common form, which occurs when the soft tissues in the back of the mouth and tongue collapse to block the airway. You can stop breathing hundreds of times during the night. The repeated depletion of oxygen can have serious consequences for your health, like an increased risk of heart disease, depression, and memory loss.
Research has found that it can also contribute to gum disease, which is a preventable infection that destroys the teeth and supporting structures. Sleep apnea patients often breathe through their mouths instead of their noses. As a result, this reduces saliva flow, which is necessary to keep your mouth moist. This creates the perfect breeding ground for bad bacteria that can inflame the gum tissue.
Initially, you can develop red, swollen, or bleeding gums. However, without any treatment, gum disease can cause tooth loss. The infection may also enter your bloodstream, increasing your risk of various issues, like cardiovascular disease, Alzheimer’s disease, respiratory infections, and diabetic complications.
Don’t Lose Sleep Over Your Oral Health
If you aren’t treating your sleep apnea, your first step to protecting your smile is visiting your dentist for an oral appliance. The custom-fit appliance holds the jaw and tongue in a comfortable position to prevent them from blocking the airway. It will fit your mouth like a glove, so you don’t have to worry about it keeping you awake at night. An oral appliance can also treat snoring to stop mouth breathing to reduce your risk of gum disease.
Your dentist will also recommend brushing your teeth at least twice daily and flossing nightly. Use an antibacterial mouthwash and don’t forget to clean your oral appliance. Besides caring for your mouth at home, visit your dentist every 6 months for a cleaning and checkup.
They’ll monitor your oral health to spot the first signs of gum disease early. Your dentist will provide the treatment you need to stop the infection in its tracks.
Invest in your health, quality of life, and smile with the right sleep apnea treatment and oral hygiene habits at home.
About Dr. Dean Hutto
Dr. Hutto achieved his dental degree at the University of Texas Dental School and has completed extensive continuing education in advanced services, like sleep apnea and gum disease. As a member of the American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine and other professional organizations, he has a reputation you can trust. Contact our office today to request your consultation.