How Snoring Can Ruin Your Teeth
Snoring happens when your airway is slightly or entirely restricted during sleep. When this happens, your breathing will become labored and the mouth is opened to allow for more air to flow. Snoring may create many dental problems that our team at Made Ya Smile Sugar Land, TX can treat. Patients in Sugar Land, TX who suspect they snore or have sleep issues can come by our office for information about snoring solutions that will improve their dental health and hygine.
The effects of snoring on your teeth
When your mouth remains open during sleep, saliva dries out. If this continues, your salivary glands will no longer work and you could not have enough saliva to keep your mouth remain wet. This problem is called xerostomia, the lack of salivary flow. Saliva is required to cover your oral tissues.
Xerostomia is one of the most common causes of periodontal disease and loss of teeth in adult patients. Saliva is required in order to maintain the health of the mouth by washing your tongue, the cheeks, and gums of dead cells. When these cells aren’t flushed out on a regular basis, they cause a smell and will likely cause foul breath. Additionally, when there is inadequate saliva, a pain could arise, which can lead to burning mouth syndrome.
When the mouth is not wet, there could be a pH imbalance that permits acid and plaque to grow and weaken tooth enamel. This may additionally create pockets in the teeth that may lead to cavities. If left unaddressed, bacteria can even impact the nerves and tooth roots, resulting in needing root canal therapy in Sugar Land, TX. A cavity also increases the risk of infection.
If you have a sticky mouth, stinky breath, a dry tongue, or thick saliva, these are each signs that your mouth is not creating sufficient saliva. In more drastic cases of dry mouth, your taste may change. Whether or not you’re a snorer or you suffer from sleep apnea, these symptoms of dry mouth are the first sign that you might want to schedule an appointment with our team for oral treatment soon.
Sleep apnea and snoring
Sleep apnea is a sleep ailment that develops when regular breathing is disrupted while you sleep. Therefore, snoring is common with individuals with sleep apnea, however not everyone who snores has the disorder. Those with oversized tonsils or tongues, small jaws, or a nasal blockage such as a deviated septum may be at risk for having sleep apnea.
You could have one of two types of sleep apnea:
- Obstructive sleep apnea: Obstructive sleep apnea is the most common type and is caused by restricted airflow. This is caused when the soft tissue near the back of the throat caves in while you sleep.
- Central sleep apnea: This occurs when your brain signals a problem with the breathing muscles. Your airway may not be blocked, but your brain doesn’t accurately notify your muscles to breath.
Your oral health and snoring
Even though snoring doesn’t mean you will lose your teeth, it can mean that you will need to be on top of your oral health. One of the best ways to fight off the dry-mouth effects of sleep apnea is to ensure you brush at least twice every day for about two minutes. Brushing your teeth can prevent bacteria overgrowth. Flossing daily is equally crucial because it will get rid of bacteria that may develop at your gumline or in between your teeth.
Bi-annual dentist visits at Made Ya Smile Sugar Land, TX gives us to look for signs of cavities and if detected, to treat them as early as possible. These appointments will allow us to resolve any issues before expensive restorative procedures are needed, such as a dental crown.
Solutions for snoring
Men and women who suffer from serious sleep apnea may not be the right candidate for a dental solution. A Continuous Positive Air Pressure (CPAP) may be a better opportunity. However, some individuals are not ideal candidates as a result of separate health problems. Our team carefully reviews you and goes over your health history in order decide whether or not you will benefit from a CPAP machine.
Made Ya Smile Sugar Land, TX offers sleep apnea tests to determine if you need a dental appliance. This device is used at your home while you sleep and the findings are forwarded to your primary care doctor who then gives approval for the use of oral appliance therapy from our team in Sugar Land, TX. Oral appliance therapy is a custom-made tool that fits in your mouth while you sleep. It is a lot like a mouth guard. Unlike a mouth guard, this appliance does not protect your teeth from high-impact sports, but rather puts your jaw in a forward arrangement to help keep the airway open. X-rays help our dentists to get a good look at your teeth, jaw, tongue, and airway plainly prior to generating your dental appliance.
Treating snoring with oral appliance therapy
The team at Made Ya Smile Sugar Land, TX can help establish if snoring and sleep issues are impacting your dental health and wellness. If you believe your snoring or sleep apnea are becoming more of a problem and want to learn about various snoring solutions available in Sugar Land, TX, make an appointment at our dental office today!