{"id":904,"date":"2023-01-20T16:44:26","date_gmt":"2023-01-20T16:44:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.bghdental.com\/blog\/?p=904"},"modified":"2023-01-20T16:44:27","modified_gmt":"2023-01-20T16:44:27","slug":"connection-between-sleep-apnea-and-gum-disease","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.bghdental.com\/blog\/connection-between-sleep-apnea-and-gum-disease\/","title":{"rendered":"How are Sleep Apnea and Gum Disease Linked?"},"content":{"rendered":"
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When you have sleep apnea<\/a>, your breathing may be interrupted multiple times throughout the night, forcing your body to frequently wake up for air. This dangerous condition can leave you feeling exhausted during the day and may potentially lead to heart failure and strokes. But did you know that sleep apnea could also put you at a higher risk for gum disease? Here\u2019s how a sleep disorder can affect your oral health as well as what you can do to improve the quality of your rest and protect your smile.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

The Connection Between Sleep Apnea and Gum Disease<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Multiple studies indicate a relationship between sleep apnea and gum disease. For example, one study<\/a> published in the Journal of Periodontal Research<\/em> found that 60% of participants who were diagnosed with periodontitis (advanced gum disease) also had a form of sleep apnea.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What\u2019s the reason for this connection? When you have sleep apnea, you\u2019re more likely to breathe through your mouth while asleep. This is a problem because mouth breathing tends to decrease the flow of saliva. Without a healthy level of saliva to clean your mouth, harmful oral bacteria will thrive, increasing your chances of a gum infection.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What Can You Do If You Have Sleep Apnea?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

You can minimize the impact sleep apnea has on your oral health \u2013 as well as the rest of your body \u2013 by having it treated quickly. Watch out for warning signs of sleep-disordered breathing, such as loud chronic snoring (which is normally reported by another person), exhaustion during the day, irritability, raised blood pressure, and morning headaches. If you have any reason to think you might have sleep apnea, you should reach out to a sleep expert as soon as possible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are a few different ways sleep apnea can be treated. Many sleep dentists might suggest the Vivos oral appliance system. You\u2019ll be given a customized appliance that uses gentle pressure to reshape your oral structures, thus correcting any anatomical issues that might be contributing to your sleep disorder.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How Can You Protect Your Smile from Gum Disease?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Of course, while you\u2019re looking for a solution for your sleep apnea, you\u2019ll also want to take whatever steps you can to protect your smile from gum disease. You can improve your gum health by:<\/p>\n\n\n\n