As the window into your body, so to speak, your mouth and
its health can have a serious impact on your overall quality of life. If asked
about the relationship between dental health and sleep, some people might think
first of a severe toothache that keeps them awake at night. The truth, however,
is that certain oral health issues can disturb your sleep in a more profound
manner, or damage your teeth by causing you to grind them together when you’re
unconscious. Grand Prairie dentist, Dr. Smith, explains a
couple of ways in which dental health can help you sleep more soundly and more
peacefully.
Snoring and Sleep Apnea
Obstructive sleep apnea, or OSA, is a disorder involving
tissues in the mouth and throat that relax and collapse into the airway,
forcing the patient to stop breathing. After a moment or two, the lack of
oxygen causes your brain to panic and your body to wake enough to start
breathing again. Loud snoring is a common indicator of OSA; as air escapes
through an obstructed airway, the walls in your throat vibrate. Snoring grows
louder as the tissues close more of your airway, and then stops as the airway
closes completely. If you suffer from OSA, then Dr. Smith may be able to help
you find rest with a custom-designed oral appliance that can help keep your
lower jaw in forward position while you sleep. The support will help prevent
oral tissues from collapsing into your airway and stopping you from breathing.
Bruxism Sleepguards
Snoring isn’t the only thing that might happen while you
sleep. Bruxism, or habitual teeth-grinding, typically occurs at night, while
you sleep. The pressure can damage your teeth or change their shape, throwing
your bite off-balance and placing your teeth an increased risk for further
damage or infection. While athletes wear mouthguards to protect their teeth
while playing sports, Dr. Smith can design a similar mouthpiece to protect your
teeth from each other. A sleepguard will stop you from grinding your teeth
together at night, helping you preserve your smile until the underlying cause
of your bruxism can be addressed.
About Your Grand Prairie Dentist:
Dr. Quinn Smith is a well-respected and highly experienced
dentist in Grand Prairie, TX. He takes a patient-first approach that starts
from the moment patients enter our Park Tree Dental office, and he
offers a three-year guarantee on all dental work that he performs. Whether
you’re a new or returning patient, you can schedule a consultation or your next
appointment with Dr. Smith by contacting
us at (972) 262-5111.
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