If you have obstructive sleep apnea, you know firsthand the effects it can have on your physical and mental health. Unfortunately, those aren’t the only concerns. Untreated sleep apnea can also wreak havoc on your smile. Researchers have found a direct link between sleep apnea and gum disease. As a leading cause of tooth loss, don’t risk your beautiful smile from the infection. Here’s how you can safeguard your smile, so the threat of gum disease doesn’t keep you awake at night.
Connection Between Gum Disease and Sleep Apnea
Sleep apnea is a condition that causes frequent disruptions in breathing throughout the night. Each pause in breathing depletes your body of oxygen and interrupts your sleep cycle. Over time, you can develop serious medical concerns, including cardiovascular disease, sleep deprivation, and depression, but it can also harm your oral health.
Sleep apnea can affect your immune system, causing an impaired reaction to infections, like gum disease. It can destroy the supporting structures of your teeth, which can lead to tooth loss. Not to mention, the infection may enter your bloodstream, increasing your risk of several health issues, like heart attacks, Alzheimer’s disease, and respiratory infections.
Your immune system may not be able to fight the bacteria responsible for gum disease. Patients with sleep apnea often have higher numbers of oral bacteria from breathing through their mouths, which causes dry mouth. This creates the perfect breeding ground for harmful oral bacteria to multiply quickly, increasing your risk of gum disease.
Invest in a Healthy Mouth and Body
You can lower your risk of gum disease and support your health with sleep apnea therapy. You have multiple options to stop interruptions in breathing, like:
- CPAP Machine: A CPAP is the most traditional treatment for sleep apnea. A steady stream of air pressure is delivered through a mask worn over the nose to stop breathing disruptions.
- Oral Appliance: An oral appliance is a custom-fit device used to treat mild-to-moderate obstructive sleep apnea. It repositions the lower jaw and tongue to prevent the soft tissues from blocking the airway. It’s a comfortable, convenient alternative to a CPAP; however, both treatments can also be combined.
The right sleep apnea treatment will keep your airways open and support your health. You’ll get the rest you need for a strong immune system to combat harmful infections, like gum disease.
You can breathe easier and sleep peacefully, knowing your mouth and body are protected from the complications of sleep apnea. You’ll look and feel your best with a healthy, beautiful smile you’ll be proud to share with the world.
About Dr. Pamela J. West
Dr. West achieved her dental degree from the University of Southern California Dental School and has completed advanced education in sleep medicine. She is a member of various professional organizations, including the American Academy of Sleep Medicine and the American Association of Sleep Medicine. Dr. West has the experience and qualifications you can trust for sleep apnea therapy. Contact our office today to request your consultation.