4 Dental Symptoms of Sleep Apnoea

Think you have sleep apnoea? There are several common symptoms of obstructive sleep apnoea that you can watch out for. But did you know that some of them even affect your oral health? Here are some of the most noticeable dental symptoms you’ll experience if you have oral sleep apnoea.

Flattened Teeth

One of the main signs of a sleeping disorder is teeth that are flattened and worn out. Run your tongue along your teeth- if the edges feel sharp, you most likely have worn down teeth. This happens because an obstructive sleep disorder deprives you of enough oxygen. One of your body’s physical reactions to this is to tightly clench your jaws.

Damaged Dental Work

Your dental work is certainly durable but it isn’t designed to withstand exhaustive wear and tear. If you find that your fillings and crowns are starting to break down, this could be a sign of sleep apnoea due to the constant clenching of your jaws.

Bite Marks

Have you found any thin, raised lines along the inside of your cheeks? They’ll be fine, white lines found just where your teeth bite together. This is also a very prominent symptom amongst people who suffer from bruxism.

Joint Pain

If you have any facial tension, TMJ problems or joint pain when opening/closing your mouth, this may not necessarily be caused by TMJ disorder! Instead this could occur due to the strain being placed on your joint every time you struggle to breathe.

If you notice any of the above symptoms be sure to bring it up when you schedule your next appointment at SDG. Our expert dentists will be able to help you come up with the best solution for your dental health and also for a good night’s sleep!