Effects on your teeth & body

Effects of snoring & sleep apnoea Geelong & Lara

Effects of Snoring & Sleep Apnoea on your teeth and body

Why sleep apnoea can be harmful

Sleep apnoea can cause an interruption to the circulation of oxygen in the blood, which decreases the bodies ability to replenish itself. This can have a severe effect as it reduces the supply of oxygen to vital organs such as the brain and the heart.

When the brain realises that the body is actually struggling to breathe, it will briefly wake up and override the system by shocking the cardiovascular system into action to clear the airway. This can be witnessed by a sleeping partner, as a sudden gasp for air or a choking noise. It is possible for this to happen hundreds of times per night. The patient suffering from sleep apnoea may not even remember waking up, but the brain and body can start to feel the effects of the disturbances.

Sleep Apnoea and oral health

Sleep Apnoea has been shown to negatively affect your oral health too. There are a few dental problems that can be directly related to sleep apnoea. Sleep apnoea increases the likelihood of teeth grinding. One in every four people who have sleep apnoea grind their teeth. Over time this can cause tooth sensitivity (and in some cases, cracked and damaged teeth.

Sleep apnoea can also be associated with jaw pain such as TMD. It is also more common for patients to breathe through their mouth, which can cause the mouth to dry out protective saliva and may lead to tooth decay.

Risks of sleep apnoea

Sleep Apnoea increases the following risks:

  • Stroke (blood clots in the brain)
  • High Blood Pressure
  • Heart Attack
  • Obesity
  • Type 2 diabetes
  • Motor vehicle accidents
  • Depression
  • Headaches
