You might come in for a routine cleaning, and we end up asking about your sleep. Not because we’re being nosy. Because your mouth tells us more than you might expect. And sometimes, what we see points to a condition that has nothing to do with your teeth: sleep apnea.
At Premier Dentistry in downtown Chicago, Dr. Nechama Brand looks at more than just cavities during your exam. We look at the whole picture. And sleep apnea is one of those conditions we catch surprisingly often.
What Sleep Apnea Actually Is
Sleep apnea is a disorder where your breathing repeatedly stops and starts during sleep. The most common type is obstructive sleep apnea. That means your airway partially or completely collapses while you’re asleep, cutting off your oxygen.
Your brain jolts you awake just enough to start breathing again. You might not even remember it happening. But it can happen hundreds of times a night.
The result? You’re exhausted during the day. Your heart works harder. And your body never gets the deep rest it needs.
What We See in Your Mouth
Here’s where dentistry comes in. Sleep apnea leaves clues in your mouth, and we know exactly what to look for.
- Worn teeth: If you grind your teeth at night, it’s often because your body is trying to open your airway. The grinding forces your jaw forward, which creates more space to breathe. Over time, that grinding wears down your enamel in very specific patterns.
- A scalloped tongue: Take a look at your tongue in the mirror. If the edges look wavy or scalloped, it could mean your tongue is pressing against your teeth while you sleep. That happens when your tongue falls backward into your airway.
- Dry mouth: People with sleep apnea often breathe through their mouth at night. That dries out your oral tissues, which we can see during an exam.
- A small or crowded airway: During an oral exam, we can see your throat and the back of your mouth. If your tonsils are enlarged, your soft palate is low, or your jaw is small, those are red flags.
Why This Matters for Your Health
Sleep apnea isn’t just about being tired. It’s a serious health condition.
Untreated sleep apnea increases your risk of high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, and type 2 diabetes. It affects your mood, your memory, and your relationships. And many people go years without knowing they have it.
That’s why we take it seriously. When we see those signs, we bring it up. Not to scare you. To help you.
What Happens Next
If we suspect sleep apnea, we don’t diagnose it ourselves. That’s a job for a sleep specialist. But we can point you in the right direction.
We will ask you a few simple questions:
- Do you snore loudly?
- Do you wake up gasping or choking?
- Do you feel exhausted during the day?
- Has anyone told you that you stop breathing during sleep?
If you answer yes to several of these, we will recommend a sleep study. That’s the only way to confirm sleep apnea.
The Dental Solution
For many people with mild to moderate sleep apnea, a dental device can be a game-changer. An oral appliance is like a mouthguard that holds your jaw forward while you sleep. That keeps your airway open. It’s quiet, comfortable, and much easier to travel with than a CPAP machine.
Dr. Brand has helped many of our patients get better sleep with a custom-fitted oral appliance. We make it right here in our Millennium Park office.
Don’t Ignore the Signs
If you snore, wake up tired, or have any of the signs we mentioned, please talk to us. We’re not trying to diagnose you with something scary. We’re trying to help you feel better. Your mouth tells a story about your overall health. And sometimes, that story includes sleep apnea.
Concerned about your sleep? Call our Millennium Park office at 312-726-1901. We can help you figure out what’s going on.