If you have been suffering from sleeplessness
and you have been repeatedly informed that you snore very loudly, too, you
might be suffering from sleep apnea. The condition manifests in the form of
frequent breathing interruptions during sleep caused by either muscles in the
back of the throat that are too weak or by an improperly sized jaw or tongue
that obstruct the airways.
Many experts believe there is a direct
relationship between sleep apnea and the condition of the patient’s teeth. In
most cases, apnea goes hand in hand with teeth grinding. When breathing is
obstructed, tensing the jaw and grinding the teeth prompt the brain to wake you
up and to resume breathing. Teeth grinding in these cases is a life saver, but
it is harmful for the teeth, causing them to become cracked or chipped. The
process also causes mouth dryness that is harmful for the teeth because it
prevents the saliva production necessary for flushing the oral cavity and it
also affects the jaws and the facial muscles that may become tense and painful.
If you notice any of the above signs, inform
your dentist about your sleeping difficulties – in many cases, the issues can
be addressed with the help of mouth guards or with other types of oral
appliances that restore the quality of the sleep and prevent teeth damage as
well.
Find out more from your local dentist at http://drsarahmeyer.com/.
