Medically Reviewed by Esteem Dental And Orthodontic Team on July 15, 2024
Whether you struggle with restless sleep, insomnia, or any other sleep-related issues, you may be wondering what could be causing this unrest. As a dental patient seeking to improve both your sleep and oral health, it’s important to consider how these aspects are connected. While your thoughts may not immediately jump to dental issues, you may be surprised to learn that your oral health can have a huge impact on your sleep.
The Esteem Dental team is here to help you understand why improving your dental health can go hand-in-hand with improving your nightly sleep. Addressing oral health concerns can play a significant role in improving sleep quality. We are dedicated to providing our patients with the knowledge to help improve their overall health, including the way they get sleep. Our Lake Nona team, led by Dr. Jordan Jones, is here to ensure you understand how the dental issues you may be experiencing are affecting your sleep and how we can provide you with the care to remedy those issues.
Dental sleep medicine is a specialized field that addresses the connection between dental issues and sleep disorders, helping patients manage and treat sleep-related problems for better oral and overall health.
How Your Dental Health May Be Affecting Your Sleep Apnea
If you suffer from poor sleep quality, the answer to your trouble may lie with dental issues. Luckily, being informed about different dental issues that may lead to sleep problems can provide you with a clear path to receive the dental care that will improve your oral health and give you the good night’s rest you deserve.
The dental issues that can impact your sleep include the following:
- Teeth Grinding: Bruxism, commonly referred to as teeth grinding, is a condition in which a person grinds or clenches their teeth, typically during sleep. This dental condition can cause tooth pain, headaches, and jaw pain, and those who experience bruxism may also deal with insomnia and daytime fatigue as a result of disrupted sleep. Sleep apnea grind is a specific type of teeth grinding associated with sleep apnea, which can further harm oral health. Teeth grinding can strain the temporomandibular joint, leading to jaw pain and headaches. Nightguards are often recommended to protect the upper and lower teeth from damage caused by grinding.
- Sleep Apnea: Sleep apnea is a disorder where a person’s breathing is repeatedly interrupted during sleep, often causing them to wake up multiple times throughout the night. Sleep apnea is a common sleep disorder, and one of its most prevalent forms is obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), which is caused by the relaxation and obstruction of the upper airway during sleep. Those who suffer from this disorder may be at risk for developing bruxism due to the constant interruptions of sleep, which can lead to increased muscle tension in the jaw. Oral health sleep apnea can lead to issues like dry mouth, increased plaque buildup, and bruxism, all of which negatively impact dental health.
- Tooth Pain: Dental issues like toothaches, cavities, and abscesses can cause pain and discomfort that makes it difficult for people to fall asleep or stay asleep.
- Dry Mouth: Dry mouth is a condition characterized by a lack of saliva flow, which can lead to discomfort, bad breath, and an increased risk of tooth decay. Due to the discomfort dry mouth causes, many people who experience this condition may also have trouble sleeping.
Sleep disorder is a broad category that includes conditions such as bruxism, insomnia, REM sleep behavior disorder, and sleep apnea, all of which can impact oral health. Sleep-related dental issues, such as tooth wear, gum disease, and jaw pain, can result from these disorders.
REM sleep behavior disorder, in particular, can lead to abnormal movements during sleep that may harm oral health. Disruptions in the sleep cycle can worsen both dental and sleep issues, making it important to address these problems together.
In order to ensure you are able to improve your sleeping habits, you must also address the dental issues that are causing your inability to fall or stay asleep. Addressing dental issues can help reduce sleep disturbances and sleep deprivation.
There is also a strong link between sleep disorders, oral health, and an increased risk of heart disease, as untreated sleep issues like sleep apnea can contribute to cardiovascular problems.
Untreated sleep apnea can also play a role in the development or worsening of gum disease due to chronic inflammation. Maintaining overall oral health and avoiding poor oral health are essential steps in preventing sleep problems.
The connection between sleep and dental health highlights the importance of addressing both for your overall well-being. To ensure you know what treatment options may be best for your dental needs, it is crucial that you consult with a Lake Nona and Winter Garden orthodontist or dentist as soon as possible to begin your treatment and take the first steps towards better sleep.
A consistent sleep schedule, regular sleep schedule, and healthy sleep habits are also important for supporting both oral and sleep health. Collaborating with sleep specialists and dental professionals can provide comprehensive care for sleep disorders and related dental issues, ensuring the best outcomes for your health.
Dry Mouth and Its Impact on Sleep Quality
Dry mouth, or xerostomia, is more than just an uncomfortable sensation—it can be a significant barrier to obtaining quality sleep and maintaining good oral health. This condition occurs when saliva production drops, often becoming most noticeable at night. While a slight decrease in saliva is normal during sleep, those with dry mouth experience a much more pronounced reduction, which can lead to a host of oral health issues and sleep disruptions.
When saliva is lacking, the mouth becomes a breeding ground for food particles and bacteria, increasing the risk of tooth decay, gum disease, and oral infections. These oral health problems can, in turn, contribute to poor sleep quality by causing discomfort, pain, and even bad breath that makes it harder to fall asleep or stay asleep. Additionally, dry mouth can exacerbate sleep-related breathing disorders, such as sleep apnea and obstructive sleep apnea, by making it more difficult for the airways to remain clear throughout the night.
Certain medications, chronic mouth breathing, and underlying sleep disorders can all contribute to dry mouth. The discomfort caused by a dry mouth often leads to frequent awakenings, interrupted sleep, and a general decline in sleep quality. Over time, this can impact your overall well-being, immune system, and even increase your risk for more serious health concerns.
To improve sleep quality and support better oral health, it’s important to practice good oral hygiene—brushing and flossing regularly, and scheduling regular dental check-ups. Creating a sleep environment with a humidifier can help maintain moisture in the air, reducing the severity of dry mouth overnight. Avoiding caffeine, alcohol, and tobacco, which can further dry out the mouth, is another effective way to support both your sleep and oral health.
For some, oral appliances such as mouthguards or oral splints may be recommended to help manage dry mouth symptoms and protect against dental problems that can disrupt sleep. These devices can also help reduce discomfort and improve the overall quality of your rest.
If you continue to experience dry mouth and poor sleep despite these measures, it’s important to consult with a dental professional or sleep specialist. Addressing dry mouth not only helps you achieve a more restful night’s sleep but also plays a crucial role in maintaining good oral health and overall well-being.
Get Better Sleep With Improved Dental Health
Esteem Dental helps patients achieve the restful sleep they deserve by providing them with a treatment plan for the dental issues that are causing their inability to fall or stay asleep. Addressing dental issues can help patients achieve good sleep, which supports overall health, including immune function and oral health. One important step towards achieving better sleep is learning about the dental care available to you to help with the symptoms or discomfort that affect your ability to rest.
Our experienced team will support you through each step of your journey to achieve better sleep by addressing your dental issues and helping you decide what treatments may be best for you. Improved dental health can also lead to a more restful night’s sleep and overall better well-being. Our Lake Nona team provides a personalized care plan that meets your unique dental needs, ensuring a comfortable and practical dental treatment process. Contact us today at (407) 476-5650 or by completing our contact form.
Esteem Dental And Orthodontic Team
Our team is composed of highly skilled dentists, hygienists, dental assistants, and administrative staff, each committed to ensuring that every visit is comfortable, effective, and rewarding. Led by our experienced dental practitioners, we utilize the latest technologies and techniques to deliver top-quality care and transformative results.
Dr. Jordan Jones, DDS
Dr. Jordan Jones leads the experienced team at Esteem Dental, providing comprehensive family dental care to the Winter Garden and Lake Nona communities. With a focus on general dentistry, pediatric care, and orthodontics, Dr. Jones combines advanced techniques with a compassionate approach to ensure every patient receives personalized, quality treatment in a comfortable environment.
✓ Medically Reviewed
