Most adults don't realize they snore until someone candidly points it out to them. In many cases, snoring can be harmless. But for some older adults, snoring can make a huge impact on their oral health. Some of the problems known to develop because of snoring are xerostomia (dry mouth) and tooth decay. Learn how snoring impacts your oral health below.
The Impact Snoring Has on Your Oral Health
A number of people associate snoring with being overly tired. However, snoring is one of the most common sleep problems to occur in older adults. Snoring occurs when the tissues in the back of the mouth and inside the throat constrict (narrow) and relax too much. The tissues vibrate every time you inhale or breathe in air.
Snoring has the potential to cause a number of health issues for you, including high blood pressure and stroke. In addition to physical health problems, snoring can impact your dental health. One of the problems older adults experience is xerostomia.
Xerostomia occurs when the moisture (saliva) inside your mouth and throat decreases. A number of people who snore also breathe through their mouths at night, which allows air to enter the oral cavity instead of the air passages in the nasal cavity. Your teeth, tongue, gums, and throat become very dry from your ordeal. You can also develop decay in your tooth enamel over time.
Both snoring and xerostomia are treatable conditions. However, you'll need to see a dentist for the treatment options you need.
The Remedies and Treatments for Snoring and Xerostomia
A dentist offers several treatment options to help you stop snoring. One of your options is wearing a sleep guard at night. A sleep guard keeps your teeth and jaws closed during the night, which helps open up your nasal passages and airways.
To treat your dry mouth condition, a dentist may have a dental hygienist clean the surfaces of your teeth and under your gums. Bacteria-causing plaque can build up in your mouth when you mouth-breathe and snore. Keeping your mouth clean helps prevent tooth decay and infections of the gums.
If you do have decayed teeth, a dentist will take steps to restore them. The restorations used for your teeth may include dental crowns and composite fillings. Some dentists restore decayed teeth with root canal therapy. Root canal therapy eliminates the need to extract badly decayed front and back teeth.
For more details about snoring and its impact on your oral health, schedule your appointment with a dentist today.