Sleep apnea – a disorder that prevents you from breathing properly during the night – tends to carry many side effects that are not immediately obvious. You’re most likely to notice that you feel unusually exhausted during the day or that your bedmate is complaining about your constant loud snoring. But if you suffer from a sore jaw or see that your teeth are looking more worn down than they should, you might not realize that these are consequences of a sleep disorder as well. Read on to learn why sleep apnea treatment in Baytown might also be a way to save your smile from the dangers of bruxism.
What is Bruxism?
When you habitually grind or clench your teeth, it means you have a condition called bruxism. It often occurs while you’re asleep – in other words, when you have no conscious control over the movement of your jaws. It’s not always clear what causes bruxism, but it occurs more often in patients with stress, anxiety, or abnormal bites.
How Has Bruxism Been Linked to Sleep Apnea?
According to the National Sleep Foundation, about one in four people who suffer from obstructive sleep apnea also grind their teeth at night; this link was especially strong in male patients. In other words, it’s not guaranteed that you’ll develop bruxism if you already suffer from a sleep disorder, but the risk is very much there.
What Happens if Bruxism Connected to Sleep Apnea Isn’t Treated?
It takes time to really start feeling the effects of bruxism. Eventually, however, your teeth could start to flatten and take on a square appearance; they could even break at some point. Other consequences include constant TMJ pain (which occurs in the joint that connects the jaw to the head), increased tooth sensitivity as the enamel wears away, and gums that are damaged by the stress.
Furthermore, if you ignore the sleep apnea that’s causing bruxism to occur in the first place, your body will suffer from the frequent drops in oxygen levels and the lack of restorative sleep. In the worst-case scenario, you could experience cardiovascular problems such as a heart attack, a stroke, or even sudden death from heart failure.
How Can Bruxism and Sleep Apnea Be Treated?
Taking care of your sleep apnea should also treat your bruxism; a sleep dentist can evaluate your situation and help you figure out the ideal treatment plan. In many cases, these conditions can be solved at the same time with an oral appliance that prevents the teeth from touching each other while also positioning the jaw in a way that keeps the airway as unobstructed as possible.
Sleep apnea already costs you a good night’s rest and a healthy body; it should not take away your healthy smile as well. Get in touch with a sleep dentist as soon as you can to find a solution for sleep apnea as well as bruxism.
About the Author
Dr. Dean Hutto was born in the Baytown area; he opened his first practice after graduating from the University of Texas Dental School in 1992. He has studied with some of the most renowned authorities in the dental field and is dedicated to serving members of his community by improving their smiles as well as the quality of their rest. To schedule a sleep apnea appointment at his practice, Sleep Better Baytown, you can visit his website or call (281) 422-8249.