how sleep apnea affects dental health

Serenity Dental of RocklinSerenityDental.net

Do you snore?

Snoring is a very common sign of sleep apnea. Sleep apnea is a widespread condition that can cause a range of health difficulties. At the very least, it can prevent you from getting a restful night’s sleep, but symptoms can be much worse. Sleep apnea often causes cardiovascular and respiratory problems and may even result in sudden death.

Dental Consequences of Sleep Apnea

There is a strong link between dental health and sleep apnea. Sleep apnea can cause you to grind your teeth while asleep. Known as bruxism, this condition used to be attributed to stress, but it is now known that sleep apnea is the major cause. Bruxism can cause severe damage to your teeth and tooth pain throughout the day.

Issues Arising from Bruxism

The problems from nocturnal teeth grinding don’t end there. If the condition is severe and goes untreated long enough, it can lead to problems with the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) of the jaw. Surgical correction may be required for major dysfunctions of the TMJ.

How to Find a Fix

Sleep apnea is obviously a problem you can’t afford to ignore, but many people can’t tolerate a CPAP mask, which can be uncomfortable and oppressive. Fortunately, at Serenity Dental we offer custom dental appliances to prevent sleep apnea. A dental appliance is made especially for you and is much more comfortable and portable than a CPAP. Our team of professionals will work in concert with your physician or sleep medicine specialist to find an effective solution to your sleep apnea issues.

Contact Serenity Dental

• (916) 630-1084• SerenityDental.net