What Your Smile Says About Your Sleep (It’s More Than You Think!)
Did you know your smile can betray you? That’s right, no matter how much undereye concealer you wear or coffee you drink, your smile tells a lot more than you probably realize about your sleep habits.
A simple dental exam can give your dentist a few important clues about what your nightly rest routine looks like. That’s because common challenges that get in the way of a great night’s sleep often show up on your teeth. For example, snoring, grinding, jaw pain, and issues related to dry mouth all paint a picture of your sleep health and how to improve it.
Sleep issues are more common than you think. By noticing and addressing telltale signs, your dentist can help put you on the path toward a healthier smile and better rest. Let’s take a closer look at what your smile might be saying about your sleep, why it matters, and how your dentist can help.
Snoring isn’t just an annoying habit; it can actually be a sign of a more serious problem like obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). This condition, which affects at least 25 million Americans, is characterized by shallow breathing and/or pauses in breathing. Sleep apnea limits your ability to get sufficient oxygen while you sleep, which can degrade the quality of your sleep and leave you feeling tired in the morning.
OSA also increases your risk of serious health issues, including:
Dental Signs of Snoring
Snoring may present as an enlarged tongue, dry mouth, jaw misalignment and pain, redness or soreness in the mouth.
How Your Dentist Can Help
One way to address OSA is with custom mouthguards specifically designed to keep your airway open while you sleep. If you think you might suffer from sleep apnea, talk to your dentist about options to improve the quality of your nighttime rest.
Many people grind or clench their teeth at night without even knowing it. Often, teeth grinding is related to stress or anxiety. In other cases, it could be linked to airway issues, like sleep apnea, or other disturbances to a peaceful night sleep. If teeth grinding isn’t addressed, it can lead to pain and damage to your smile.
Dental Signs of Teeth Grinding
Your dentist might suspect you have a grinding or clenching problem if you have:
How Your Dentist Can Help
If your dentist suspects you grind your teeth, they might suggest a custom-fitted nightguard to protect your teeth while you sleep. We can also talk with you about ways to reduce your stress and create better sleep habits.
A consistent lack of sleep takes a toll on your body. One way insufficient sleep shows up is in the form of dry mouth. Without enough saliva production, your teeth are more prone to cavities and gum disease. That’s because saliva plays a critical role in washing away harmful bacteria and fighting germs that create bad breath.
Dental Signs of Dry Mouth
You might have dry mouth if your dentist notices on of these common symptoms:
How Your Dentist Can Help
If you have sleep-related dry mouth, your dentist may simply recommend you try getting more sleep on a more consistent basis. Other treatments for dry mouth can include mouthwashes designed to increase saliva production, a regular dental hygiene routine, and increased water intake. Lack of sleep is not the only reason you might have dry mouth. A conversation with your dentist will help you get to the bottom of the problem and address it effectively.
Sleep and healthy smiles really do go hand-in-hand. With a better sleep routine, you’ll not only feel more rested and refreshed in the morning, but your teeth will also be better for it. Better sleep can mean fewer cavities, healthier gums, and less jaw pain, among other benefits.
Ready to talk to your dentist about your smile or sleep-related questions? Schedule your next visit to our office.
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