Obstructive sleep apenea (OSA), also known as sleep apnea or nocturnal apnea, is a disorder that causes momentary breathing pauses of at least ten seconds during the night.
In some cases, it presents as shallow breathing, known as hypopnea.
Although it is not directly related to the mouth, people who suffer from apnea must also visit a dental clinic.
This chronic disease affects approximately 30% of the world’s adult population. Nevertheless, between 85% and 90% of patients remain undiagnosed and untreated.
Nighttime apnea can result from excessive muscle relaxation in the throat and tongue, excess weight, or enlarged tonsils and adenoids. These factors obstruct the throat and interfere with airflow to the lungs.
Main Symptoms of Sleep Apnea
Sleep apnea includes a wide range of symptoms. Some are related to a poor sleep quality and are usually noticed upon waking:
- A feeling of suffocation
- Waking up short of breath
- Chest pain
- Confusion or disorientation
- Headaches
- Dry mouth
- Sore throat
Other symptoms may appear during the day or during sleep:
- Loud and frequent snoring
- Daytime drowsiness
- Personality alterations
- Irritability
- Difficulty concentrating
- Erectile dysfunction
To diagnose this condition, a sleep study (polysomnography) is required. This test records sleep activity through specialized electronic equipment.
How Does Sleep Apnea Affect Oral Health?
Sleep apnea significantly affects daily life and increases the risk of high blood pressure and other health disorders. In addition, shallow sleep reduces energy and vitality, making it harder to get through the day.
When it comes to oral health, the main problems stem from the fact that many patients with sleep apnea sleep with their mouths open. For this reason, visiting a dentist is important to prevent complications.
Sleeping with your mouth open decreases saliva flow and dries the soft tissues of the oral cavity. This dryness creates a favorable environment for viruses and bacteria to thrive.
When bacteria accumulate in the tonsils, they can cause tonsillitis, which, if untreated, can progress to severe periodontitis.
In such cases, immediate dental care, even emergency services, may be required. Without treatment, the infection can spread to surrounding areas and compromise the jawbone.
Periodontitis also increases the risk of heart and lung disease, in addition to causing the loss of teeth in the affected areas. When this happens, treatment at a specialized clinic with dental prosthetics becomes necessary..
The good news is that prevention is possible. The priority is to maintain oral health, especially if you suffer from sleep apnea.
Good oral hygiene means brushing at least three times a day and flossing once daily, preferably before bedtime. This helps avoid the need for complex dental treatments, including prosthetics.
How to Treat Sleep Apnea
Certain lifestyle changes can help reduce apnea episodes. Helpful measures include avoiding alcohol, smoking, and heavy meals before bedtime; sleeping on your side; and raising the head of the bed by 15 and 20 centimeters.
In some cases, physicians may recommend surgery, especially when enlarged tonsils or adenoids are involved. However, not all patients respond to this approach.
Another option involves oral appliances that keep the airway open during sleep. If possible, mandibular advancement splints are effective.
For patients who cannot use these devices due to missing teeth or poor denture fit, tongue-retaining devices may be prescribed, as they serve the same purpose.
Sleep apnea affects multiple aspects of life, so beginning treatment is essential.
Even when oral appliances are necessary, making lifestyle changes is just as important, as symptoms often improve over time. In some cases, this improvement may even eliminate the need for devices.
This content was developed by the Status Fit Center team, a blog created to promote health and wellness by highlighting the importance of regular care.
