River Walk Dental Orthodontics

1431 Palo Alto Rd, Suite 104, San Antonio, TX 78211

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Dental hygiene tips for healthy teeth & gums

Sleep Apnea & Dentistry: What’s the Connection?

Are you struggling with snoring? Snoring and sleep disturbances are signs of obstructive sleep apnea and it could blame your oral health too. According to the National Sleep Foundation, 18 million Americans have Sleep Apnea. This leads to repeated breathing interruptions the entire night. This can last from a few seconds to minutes. This happens because of the obstructions in the airway.

Tooth grinding is the first sign of sleep apnea. It is also known as bruxism. Dentists look for worn tooth surface which indicates that a patient grinds his or her teeth. Grinding causes tooth wear and breakage. Similarly spike in cavities is also a sign of grinding because the force damages the teeth, thereby making them susceptible to cavity causing bacteria. Grinding is just one oral health sign of sleep apnea. Other signs are redness in the throat and small jaw.

Gasping for breath causes people to wake up and diminishes sleep quality, thereby leading to fatigue. Sleep apnea is linked to an increased risk of high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes and obesity.

Ask a dentist near me whether a nightguard is enough?
An over-the-counter night guard might not be able to fix the problem but make the condition even worse. However, a custom-made mouthguard is helpful and can help reduce grinding, cavities, headache and jaw pain, thereby leading to sleep apnea.

Is periodontal disease a sign of big problem?
If there is a lot of decay, it could result in grinding and sleep apnea.

Snoring is the most common sign of sleep apnea.other symptoms include drowsiness, dry mouth, sore throat, morning headache and so on. Dental problems associated with sleep apnea should be taken care of properly. It is recommended to see a dentist who will suggest corrective treatment measures. Our dentists can help alleviate dental problems via behavior modification that include improving sleep quality, managing dental health, orthodontic treatment to treat misaligned teeth and other options for dry mouth.

As discussed above, custom-made mouthguards are life-changing and help to improve sleep apnea along with dental problems. Sleep disorder affects health in multiple ways. Therefore, it is important to feel refreshed and energized. If you are concerned that you may have sleep apnea, talk to our dentists today to determine the cause of your sleep trouble. They will help you determine the best option based on your situation. Schedule a consultation with a dentist near me today to identify the root cause.

Book Appointment to find out which treatment might be best for you.