Oral health encompasses more than some might think. A person's quality of sleep could be affected by oral health, and that's just the tip of the iceberg. Right now, you're going to find out more about two specific issues: sleep apnea and teeth grinding that don't seem related but could be.
What Exactly is Sleep Apnea?
Those who've heard of sleep apnea usually associate it with snoring. For the most part, snoring may not seem like a big deal. It's used as the butt of a joke in movies and TV shows all the time, but the truth is that sleep apnea is more serious than some people might imagine. In essence, the condition causes you to stop breathing while you sleep. There are three types of sleep apneas, which are the obstructive, the central, and mixed sleep apneas. A person with this condition could stop breathing for a minute or sometimes much longer than that. What's worse is that most people don't know they have this condition because it doesn't happen when they're awake. It's more common than people think it is. A whopping 5.4 million Canadians have been diagnosed with sleep apnea, and that's through professional referrals. Yes, your dentist from the Upper Hunt Club Dental Centre in Ottawa can help detect these issues. They may refer you to a sleep specialist if they notice you are grinding your teeth.
What is Teeth Grinding?
This issue causes you to grind your teeth. Sometimes, this tooth-gnashing condition is referred to as bruxism, and it could be quite damaging. Most of the time, the person who suffers from this condition clenches their teeth only at night. Of course, some do it when they're awake, but usually, this happens unconsciously, so people may not notice it's happening. This problem is harder to find out if the person only does this at night. The condition is considered a sleep-related movement disorder, and it could be related to all sorts of issues like stress. Every so often, it's also linked to other sleep-related conditions like sleep apnea. The milder forms of this disorder won't require major treatment and can sometimes be addressed with just a night guard, but more severe cases can lead to headaches, jaw disorders, and even damaged teeth. Bruxism is the reason many people visit the Upper Hunt Club Dental Centre in Ottawa. You could crack a tooth, damage a filling, and so much more.
The Connection Between Sleep Apnea and Teeth Grinding
It may not seem like there is a link between these conditions yet there might be. Yes, of course, the obvious connection between these two conditions is that they could go undetected for a long time. Sometimes, the person who finds out is a partner who might be sleeping next to the person who has one or both of these conditions. Studies indicate that people who suffer from sleep apnea might also be grinding their teeth at night. It's not a common occurrence, but it does seem to happen enough to say there's a link. Now, what is that link? That's a much bigger question, especially because no one knows what the link is. At the moment, no direct association has been made, rather just an observation of the pattern. Many theories surround the connection. Some say one condition triggers the other. Other specialists believe they don't trigger each other but rather there's an underlying connection that just hasn't been found. One thing is for certain though. You shouldn't ignore either issue. It's important to find out if you're dealing with these conditions and find a way to address them before they damage your health. This damage could become permanent, so don't delay getting professional help as soon as possible.
Your dentist can do a lot to help you figure out if you are grinding your teeth, which could also help you find out about sleep apnea. You can do some tests at home on your own, too. For example, you could record yourself at night to see if you're grinding your teeth or snoring. Hopefully, you're sleeping well and don't have any of these issues, but it's better to be safe than sorry. Visit us at the Upper Hunt Club Dental Centre in Ottawa if you suspect you may deal with teeth grinding or sleep apnea. Contact us today to schedule an appointment.
