### Can Your Dental Health Indicate Sleep Apnea? Struggling with snoring and sleeplessness? You might want to talk to your dentist. Snoring and sleep disturbances can be signs of obstructive sleep apnea, and your oral health might be a contributing factor. **What is Sleep Apnea?** Sleep apnea is a condition where your breathing repeatedly stops and starts during sleep. This happens because the muscles in the back of your throat relax too much, your tongue is too large, or your jaw is too small, causing airway obstructions. The National Sleep Foundation estimates that 18 million Americans have sleep apnea. **Oral Health Signs of Sleep Apnea** One of the first signs of sleep apnea is tooth grinding, also known as bruxism. Dentists often look for worn tooth surfaces, which indicate grinding. Grinding can lead to tooth wear, breakage, and inflamed or receding gums. An increase in cavities can also be a sign of grinding because the force damages teeth, making them more susceptible to bacteria. Other oral health signs include a small jaw, a tongue with scalloped edges, and redness in the throat caused by frequent snoring. **Why It Matters** Sleep apnea can cause people to wake up repeatedly, reducing sleep quality and causing fatigue. It is also linked to higher risks of high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes, and obesity. **What to Do** If your dentist suspects you have sleep apnea, they may recommend a sleep study. Only a medical doctor can officially diagnose sleep apnea, but dentists are often the first to notice the signs. **Questions to Ask Your Dentist** 1. **Is a night guard enough?** An over-the-counter night guard might not solve the problem and could even make sleep apnea worse. A custom-made guard can help reduce grinding and alleviate some symptoms of sleep apnea. 2. **Is my periodontal disease a sign of a bigger problem?** A lot of decay could be a result of grinding and sleep apnea. 3. **How do I know if I have sleep apnea?** Chronic snoring, daytime drowsiness, waking up with a dry mouth or sore throat, and morning headaches are common signs. If you have these symptoms, discuss them with your dentist.