Sleep Apnea and Gum Disease — How Are They Related?

Sleep apnea is a common disorder that is well-known for its ability to disrupt the sleep cycle and leave its victims feeling exhausted day after day. However, its consequences go far beyond mere tiredness. It can have profound effects on your health; it may even cause or worsen gum disease! How exactly are these conditions related, and how can you protect both your smile and your overall health? This blog post provides helpful information.

Sleep Apnea and Gum Disease — What Are They?

Sleep apnea is a disorder that causes repeated pauses in breathing during sleep, whereas gum disease is an infection of the soft tissue around the teeth. Both of these conditions can have far-reaching health effects. For example, they are both associated with an increased risk of heart attack, stroke, and dementia.

Sleep Apnea’s Impact on Your Oral Health

The pauses in breathing caused by sleep apnea can contribute to gum disease in a few ways:

• When your sleep is disturbed, your immune system may become less effective at defending against oral infection.
• Mouth breathing, common during sleep apnea, dries and irritates gum tissues. Dryness promotes the growth of harmful bacteria, which increases the likelihood of gum inflammation and infection.
• Chronic oxygen deprivation may lead to persistent inflammation, thereby heightening your risk of gum issues.

How Gum Disease Can Worsen Sleep Apnea Symptoms

The relationship between sleep apnea and gum disease works both ways. Not only can sleep apnea affect your risk of gum disease, but the opposite is also true. Chronic oral inflammation contributes to a greater overall inflammatory burden, which may negatively affect breathing patterns during rest. As a result, the severity of sleep apnea can increase.

What Can You Do?

If you have symptoms of gum disease, such as red or swollen gums, you should certainly visit a dentist who can provide proper treatment. However, it is also important that you get your sleep apnea taken care of. Here are some steps that may help:

• Undergo a sleep test. This can reveal whether or not you have sleep apnea and how severe it is.
• Explore your treatment options. CPAP therapy is the most common treatment for sleep apnea, but many patients dislike it. A custom oral appliance from a dentist is just as effective — and much more comfortable — for many patients.
• Make lifestyle changes for improved sleep. Having a consistent bedtime, avoiding alcohol at night, and managing your weight could all lead to improved sleep quality.

When your body has established a pattern of healthy sleep, you may find that it is much easier to maintain your oral health and overall wellness!

Meet the Practice

Drs. Robert and Dan Dernick are proud to serve as sleep dentists for The Woodlands community. Our practice focuses on providing oral appliance therapy for individuals with obstructive sleep apnea. If you have not been feeling well-rested lately, our team can consult with you and suggest your next steps. Contact our office at 281-783-3419.