Have you ever woken up in the morning after a full night’s sleep just to feel drained and exhausted? If so, you may be suffering from sleep apnea. Obstructive sleep apnea refers to a condition in which your airways become blocked or obstructed during the night. This causes your breathing to stop and restart which interrupts your sleep cycle.
Not only does this leave you feeling tired throughout the day, but it also contributes to health issues. When your body doesn’t get sufficient rest, it can’t restore itself and your immune system suffers. As a result, you could develop health conditions like gum disease.
Keep reading to learn more about the relationship between sleep apnea and your oral health so you can prevent periodontal problems!
How Does Sleep Apnea Contribute to Gum Disease?
While the exact reason is somewhat uncertain, there are a few theories about how your interrupted sleeping patterns can lead to gum disease. It might be due to increased bacteria from breathing through your mouth, for example. Those with sleep apnea tend to breathe more through their mouth than their nose which decreases saliva. Unfortunately, this encourages the growth of harmful bacteria that cause periodontal problems.
Another potential cause is bruxism, or teeth grinding. Many patients who suffer from interrupted rest also experience this issue subconsciously. All the extra pressure on their pearly whites from constantly biting down can crack, chip, or loosen them. Unwanted germs can permeate your tooth if it’s fractured or unsteady, and eventually impact your gums, too.
How Can I Prevent Gum Disease?
Fortunately, gum disease is often highly preventable. To keep it at bay, you should brush and floss your teeth both morning and night every day. This removes a great deal of harmful materials that contribute to swollen or infected gums.
You can also ask your dentist about oral appliances to treat the underlying issues. They can help you with a CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) machine to reduce your sleep apnea symptoms. There are also options to reduce the effects of bruxism, such as an occlusal splint, which is a type of mouthguard you wear to bed. It helps keep your jaw in a more functional position so that the surrounding muscles and ligaments can relax.
By addressing these areas of concern, your dentist can help you steer clear of gum disease.
How is Gum Disease Treated?
If you’ve already noticed symptoms like swollen or receding gums, then you could already have some form of periodontal disease. If that’s the case, schedule an appointment with your dentist and they’ll provide treatment recommendations after assessing the extent of the damage. They can professionally clean your teeth to remove harmful germs and clear away any existing issues.
Now that you know how to better avoid gum disease, you can keep your smile happy and healthy for the long run!
About the Author
Dr. Thomas A. Gromling has nearly four decades of experience enhancing families’ lives by improving their oral well-being. He graduated with his undergraduate degree from Virginia Tech, and then pursued his dental doctorate at the Medical College of Virginia at Virginia Commonwealth University. Now, he provides a full range of services to patients, including sleep apnea treatments. He works diligently to stay abreast of the latest advancements in dental technology and techniques so you’re sure to receive only the most current treatments. If you’re concerned about sleep apnea or gum disease and would like an appointment, you’re welcome to request a consultation on the website or by calling (540) 869-4377.