The Connection Between Sleep Apnea and Oral Health: What Your Dentist Can Do
04.06.2025
Curious about the link between sleep apnea and oral health? If you suffer from sleep problems, there is a good chance it will have an adverse impact on your oral health. And the connection works both ways. It’s also possible for your oral health issues to contribute to your sleep apnea.
If you’re struggling with sleep apnea, your GP can give you advice and support on how to get this condition under control. In the meantime, you can also visit your dentist to ensure that your oral health isn’t impacted by the side effects associated with sleep apnea.
In this guide, we’re exploring how the two conditions are linked, and what you can do to safeguard your oral health when you are experiencing periods of sleep apnea.
What is sleep apnea?
Sleep apnea is a condition that occurs when you are sleeping. It occurs when the mouth and tongue position relax and lead you to stop breathing temporarily while you sleep. This will cause you to wake and can impact your sleep quality. It’s associated with things like mouth breathing at night, being overweight, and sleeping on your back.
The exact cause of sleep apnea will vary depending on your circumstances. You might need to visit a sleep clinic to get to the bottom of your sleep apnea. This condition is also difficult to diagnose because it happens while you are sleeping. You might not be aware that you stop breathing at night, unless your partner tells you that you are snoring and breathing in an irregular pattern at night.
If you wear a smartwatch at night, this could also indicate that your blood oxygen levels fall while you are sleeping. More signs that you have sleep apnea could include:
A dry mouth when you wake
Jaw pain from clenching your teeth
Waking up on your back
Feeling tired even after a long night’s sleep
How does sleep apnea impact oral health?
The biggest risk factor for sleep apnea and your oral health is the risk of having a dry mouth. Sleeping on your back with your mouth open will cause your mouth to dry up and saliva production will be impacted.
A dry mouth can allow bacteria to multiply in your mouth, leading to inflammation of the gums. Left untreated, this can lead to gingivitis, also known as gum disease. As the gum tissue becomes more damaged, this can cause it to recede, leaving the tooth root exposed and vulnerable to decay. As the condition progresses, you can face painful abscesses and eventual tooth loss.
Sleep apnea can also cause you to clench your jaw and grind your teeth. This can cause further damage to your teeth by wearing down the chewing surface, pushing the bite out of alignment, and leading to pain in your jaw.
How can you protect your oral health?
The best way to protect your oral health from the damage associated with sleep disorders is to first understand the root cause of the problem. Sleep apnea could be linked to being overweight, so focusing on healthy living could be a positive first step.
You might find that you sleep on your back due to your mattress, so simply replacing the mattress for something more comfortable could allow you to sleep more easily on your side.
If your sleep apnea is linked to stress, you may need to look for ways to bring stressful situations in your life under control. If you cannot eliminate stress, you have to find a way to change your perception of stress so that it no longer causes you to have sleep problems.
Once you have tackled the root cause of your sleep apnea, you can then look for ways to address your oral health.
To keep your mouth moist, you can try sleeping next to a humidifier. If you are breathing through your mouth, this will ensure the air isn’t too drying. You can also speak to your dentist about a sleep apparatus to keep your mouth in the correct position when you sleep.
Sleep apnea is often caused by your tongue falling to the back of your mouth and obstructing your airway. By keeping your jaw together, you can prevent your tongue from obstructing your windpipe.
Final thoughts on sleep apnea and oral health
If you’re struggling with sleep apnea, it’s not just your doctor that can help. Visit your dentist to learn more about how your oral health might be affected and to explore your options for addressing this all too common problem. We can also make sure your oral health has not been adversely affected by your sleep apnea. Book an appointment with our team today to learn how we can help you tackle your sleep apnea.