Did you know that snoring is linked to your oral health? Not only does this nocturnal noise have to do with the anatomy of your mouth, but it can contribute to certain dental problems as well. What Causes Snoring? Snoring is the result of your airway being partially blocked while you are sleeping. While your sleep, the muscles and tissues in your throat, tongue, and palate relax, sometimes enough to obscure the airway. With the airway partially blocked, breathing becomes more difficult, so you open your mouth to allow more air to flow in. The increased airflow causes throat tissues to vibrate, which is what creates the snoring noise. Snoring is quite common, but obviously, not everyone snores. There are many different factors that affect whether some people snore, including nasal congestion and sinus issues, the unique anatomy of an individual's mouth and throat, having a family history of snoring, and using alcohol, tobacco, or sedatives. You are also more likely to snore if you are overweight or obese, male, pregnant, or over 40 years old. How Does Snoring Affect Your Teeth? Snoring can cause your mouth to dry out, since it stays open while you snore – for hours each night! You need saliva in order to keep your teeth, mouth, and tongue moist and clean. Saliva also neutralizes acids found in many foods and drinks, and washes out food particles and plaque from between your teeth. When your mouth stops producing enough saliva, plaque and bacteria build up in the mouth more easily, which leads to cavities and tooth decay. The lack of saliva that occurs as a result of snoring can also cause bad breath, gum disease, burning mouth syndrome, and other oral health conditions. If you snore, you should be extra diligent about your twice daily dental hygiene routine. Contact our office to learn more about the link between snoring and your oral health....
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