How Poor Sleep Impacts Your Teeth and Gums

How Poor Sleep Impacts Your Teeth and Gums

Quality sleep is essential for overall health, but did you know it also plays a critical role in your oral health? Poor sleep habits and sleep disorders like sleep apnea can have a direct impact on your teeth and gums, leading to long-term dental and health concerns if left untreated.
 

The Connection Between Sleep and Oral Health

When your body doesn’t get adequate rest, it impacts its ability to repair and maintain tissues—including those in your mouth. Over time, poor sleep can contribute to a variety of oral health problems that may become more serious if left unaddressed.

One of the most significant effects of poor sleep is increased inflammation. Studies show that inadequate rest is linked to higher levels of inflammation throughout the body, which can worsen gum disease and cause symptoms such as bleeding, swelling, and tenderness.

Poor sleep also weakens your immune system, making it harder for your body to fight off harmful bacteria. As a result, your risk of developing cavities and periodontal disease rises when you aren’t getting the rest you need.

Additionally, disrupted sleep and stress often lead to teeth grinding, also known as bruxism. This habit typically occurs at night and can wear down enamel, cause jaw pain, and even result in cracked or fractured teeth.
 

Sleep Apnea and Oral Health

Sleep apnea is one of the most common sleep disorders, marked by repeated interruptions in breathing throughout the night. Beyond causing fatigue, it has direct consequences for your oral health:

• Mouth breathing during sleep can cause dry mouth, increasing the risk of cavities and gum disease.

• Interrupted oxygen flow can strain the body, worsening existing oral health issues.

• Sleep apnea is often linked with bruxism, compounding the damage to your teeth.
   

A Simple, Comfortable Way to Treat Sleep Apnea

Tomenko Family Dentistry works closely with our sister company, Advanced Sleep Treatment, under the same roof. Together, we guide patients and provide treatments for obstructive sleep apnea.

Custom oral appliances is as an effective treatment option for sleep apnea. These small, comfortable devices are worn at night to reposition the jaw and keep your airway open. The benefits of oral appliance therapy include:

• Better, uninterrupted sleep

• Relief from snoring and nighttime teeth grinding

• Improved oxygen flow to protect both your overall and oral health

• A convenient, non-invasive alternative to CPAP machines
   

Ready to Sleep Better and Protect Your Smile?

Poor sleep can have lasting effects on your teeth and gums. By addressing sleep apnea with treatments like oral appliance therapy, you can protect your smile and improve your overall quality of life.

If you’re struggling with poor sleep, snoring, or symptoms of sleep apnea, the team at Tomenko Family Dentistry is here to help. Contact us to schedule a consultation and discover how oral appliance therapy can restore your sleep and safeguard your oral health. Visit our office in Silver Spring, Maryland, or call (301) 439-8333 today.