How Sleep Apnea Affects Oral Health

Sleep apnea is already understood as a condition that can greatly affect our sleep, how much of it we can get every night, and its effects on our waking days. But what may be overlooked is how much it can affect our oral health and how interlinked it is with various dental conditions. To learn more please reach out to the professionals of The Dental Spa, Dr. Marv Thomas, Dr. Rifhat Khan, and Dr. Mohamed Elgazzar, in Woodbridge, VA.

Tooth Decay

There is a connection between those who suffer from sleep apnea and mouth breathing. Breathing almost exclusively through our mouth can affect our levels of saliva which means there is less of it to wash away bacteria from our teeth, one of its very important roles. Because we are more susceptible to decay we must be even more diligent with our dental hygiene to prevent cavities and gum disease.

Damaged Teeth

Another sleep condition that has also been linked to sleep apnea is bruxism, or teeth grinding. Grinding our teeth at night can have a severe impact on our smiles over time. From the wear that occurs from teeth grinding against each other to possibly loosening of these. If we suffer from sleep apnea our dentist may recommend an oral appliance that we wear at night to keep our airway clear and that also helps protect our teeth from damage caused by grinding.

TMD

Temporomandibular disorder (TMD) refers to conditions that negatively affect the mandible joint and that may also be related to sleep apnea. Those who suffer from TMD experience pain at the joint, headaches, and other dental repercussions.

Sleep Apnea Treatment in Woodbridge, VA

A night of good sleep cannot be understated so we want to do everything we can to preserve it. Our dentist can help us address it and any other dental complications that may arise.

Dial (703) 580-8288 if you would like to come in for a consultation with Dr. Thomas, Dr. Khan, and Dr. Elgazzar of The Dental Spa in Woodbridge, VA, and also serving Lake Ridge, VA.