What happens with your mouth when you snore?
Created on June 30, 2021
According to continued research, there are approximately 90 million Americans that snore when they sleep. If you are one of them, you may be dealing with some oral health issues and other concerns that you didn’t realize were connected to snoring!
One of these concerns is increased mouth-breathing. Mouth-breathing is one of the most common reasons why patients might experience less saliva, which in turn results in dry mouth. Dry mouth can not only cause halitosis (bad breath), but it can also contribute to gum disease and tooth decay. This is because saliva is important. Saliva is the body’s way of keeping the mouth fresh by washing away bacteria and food particles that are hazardous to one’s oral health.
Dry mouth might also be caused as a side effect to many different medications that patients might take on a regular basis. It is vital that patients talk to their dentist about the current prescription and over-the-counter medications they routinely take to determine if any of them can increase one’s susceptibility to cavities or gum disease.
Additionally, snoring may be a sign that a patient could be dealing with obstructive sleep apnea. Obstructive sleep apnea, sometimes referred to by its acronym, OSA, is a condition that causes a blockage in the airways while a patient sleeps. It can cause hundreds of sleep cycles a night when patients awaken, fall asleep, and repeat the cycle. This condition can keep patients from getting the deep, restorative sleep they need to function properly each day, and can contribute to a variety of overall health concerns. With proper diagnosis, many patients will find that the use of specialized oral appliance can comfortably address both OSA and snoring, improving overall quality of life.
Are you interested in more information regarding your smile and your sleep?
Contact the team at My Great Smile today! Our facility is located in Springfield, MA at 41 Taylor Street on the fourth floor, and offers a wide selection of services for your oral health and wellness. Call (413) 781-7645 to request a consultation visit and learn more about your options. Drs. David Peck, Pablo Velastegui, and Mohmoud Homsi are all available at assist new and established patients and families at our facility.
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