Do you have symptoms such as loud snoring, abnormal breathing while asleep, daytime sleepiness, headaches, and a dry mouth or sore throat? If these symptoms sound familiar, you might have sleep apnea, a medical condition that occurs when someone’s breathing is interrupted during sleep. It’s important to be aware of the ties between sleep apnea and oral health. People can experience poor oral health as a result of sleep apnea, and oral health providers can play an important role in treating this condition. Dr. Mingus offers insights for Bend residents on how to identify and treat sleep apnea and manage the associated oral health issues.
What Is Sleep Apnea?
Sleep apnea is a potentially serious sleep disorder that can affect both adults and children. It’s characterized by pauses in breathing or shallow breaths during sleep. These pauses can last anywhere from a few seconds to several minutes. When this happens, it’s likely to cause sudden awakening, snorting sounds, and gasping for breath. Most people have no recollection of it ever occurring, but it can greatly disrupt the sleep cycle, resulting in fatigue and drowsiness. A major cause of sleep apnea is an obstruction of the airways, so this condition typically affects people who are overweight, have large tonsils, a small jaw, or a further-backplaced tongue. In some cases, neurological conditions can lead to sleep apnea.
How Does Sleep Apnea Affect Oral Health?
One of the important links between sleep apnea and oral health is that sleep apnea can negatively impact dental health. A study that was published in the Journal of the American Dental Association found that people with obstructive sleep apnea have more dental cavities and periodontal disease than those without the condition. The study authors suggest that this is likely because sleep apnea can contribute to dry mouth, a symptom that decreases salivary flow. Saliva helps to rinse away food particles and bacteria, so when the mouth is drier, the bacteria and food particles are more likely to stick to the teeth.
How Can Oral Health Providers Help?
There are a few ways in which oral health professionals can potentially help treat sleep apnea. Many oral health providers offer oral appliances called mandibular repositioning devices (MRDs) as a therapy for mild to moderate sleep apnea. MRDs, which are also sometimes referred to as dental appliances, work by holding the jaw in a forward position to keep the upper airway open. Some studies have found that these devices are both safe and effective in decreasing apnea, averting snoring, and improving sleep quality.
Additionally, oral health providers can help sleep apnea sufferers to address the underlying causes of the condition, such as obesity and smoking. They can also advise on ways to improve overall oral hygiene and reduce the risk of periodontal disease. We recommend visiting a trusted oral health provider, like Dr. Mingus, for guidance on managing the oral health issues associated with sleep apnea.
What Are the Symptoms of Sleep Apnea?
A key step in diagnosing and treating sleep apnea is identifying the symptoms. Patients with sleep apnea often experience loud snoring, and they may also have difficulty breathing or stop breathing altogether for a few seconds. Other common symptoms include excessive daytime sleepiness, irritability, frequent morning headaches, a dry mouth, sore throat, difficulty concentrating, and increased depression or anxiety. If you or someone you know has these symptoms, it’s important to visit a healthcare provider to get the medical attention that is required.
Dr. Mingus Can Help
Dr. Mingus is an experienced oral health provider who has a deep understanding of the ties between sleep apnea and oral health. He offers cutting-edge treatments for sleep apnea, including Mandibular Pain Treatments (MPTs) that can help to alleviate jaw pain and allow patients to get a good night of sleep. Dr. Mingus is dedicated to helping Bend residents with their oral health, and he is available to provide guidance on treating sleep apnea. To learn more about Dr. Mingus and his services, visit his website or book an appointment today.