It’s amazing how the quality of your sleep can affect your health and wellness. Researchers have found a link between obstructive sleep apnea and several harmful health conditions, including gum disease.
If you’re wondering how these two things could be at all related, just keep reading. It will make more and more sense as you scroll!
What is Obstructive Sleep Apnea?
Obstructive sleep apnea (or “OSA” for short) is when an airway obstruction prevents you from completing a full cycle. Over-relaxed oral tissue or jaw and teeth misalignment can make it harder for you to get oxygen while lying down, so your brain sort of panics and jolts you awake. This disrupts your body’s ability to rest and re-energize its cells, and also weakens the immune system.
How Does OSA Increase Gum Disease Risk?
A weakened immune system makes it more difficult for you to fight off illness and infection, so that’s one way OSA increases your risk of gum disease. But since your airway is obstructed at rest, you may also be breathing more heavily through your mouth rather than your nose. This can dry out your oral cavity, creating the perfect environment for gum disease bacteria to thrive.
How Can I Treat Sleep Apnea?
Finding the right treatment for your OSA can certainly improve your health. Depending on your unique situation, your sleep dentist might recommend:
- CPAP. This is essentially a breathing aid designed to supply your airway with more oxygen.
- An oral appliance. Some patients either don’t like how noisy CPAP is or have limited success with the device. An oral appliance is more low-profile and fits in your mouth like a mouthguard. When you wear it at night, the appliance pushes airway obstructions aside so you can breathe easy.
- Combined therapy. Combining an oral appliance with a smaller CPAP can sometimes be more effective than either treatment alone.
If you suspect you have sleep apnea, talk to your sleep dentist about getting tested and diagnosed. It’s also a good idea to schedule a dental checkup so you can monitor your gum health and receive treatment if necessary.
About the Author
Dr. Jeff Rodgers has been helping patients experience better sleep for over 20 years. As a board-certified sleep expert, he’s well qualified to help you identify the best treatment for your OSA. If you’re concerned about how lack of good sleep could be affecting your health and wellness, don’t hesitate to contact Dr. Rodgers’ office at 770-394-4310.