Sleep is important to our bodies for many reasons. Without sleep, we feel groggy and unmotivated. This lack of motivation can affect our working and social relationships. Additionally, a lack of sleep prevents our body from getting the rest and healing that it needs. Most people are not aware that dental and facial problems can result in poor quality or lack of sleep altogether. If your dental problems are ruining your sleep quality, one of these treatments may be ideal.
Correct poorly grown teeth
Most people get braces or other corrective dental treatments for cosmetic purposes. However, you may also find that cosmetic dentistry can also reduce pain and improve your sleep quality. If your teeth have not grown in properly, it can cause a lot of mouth pain. Overcrowded or spaced teeth can affect the gums and roots of the teeth. You can feel pain in your mouth, jaw, or even in the form of a headache. Some migraines are even caused by chronic mouth pain. Currently, more than 15% of American adults suffer from chronic facial pain. If poorly grown in teeth are affecting your ability to sleep, consult with your dentist on dental implants, invisalign, or braces.
Repair broken teeth
Many Americans have a fear of the dentist. This often causes them to put off necessary dental procedures for many months, and sometimes years. Some people will even deal with daily pain from broken teeth. A broken tooth causes extreme facial and mouth pain, because the root of the nerves is openly exposed. Anytime food or drink gets into the open nerve root, the pain gets worse. A broken tooth can severely impact a good night of sleep. Deep nerve root pain and make it difficult to even fall asleep. Work with your family dentist on fixing the broken tooth with dental implants.
Unfilled cavities
Tooth cavities are probably the most common, yet untreated dental conditions. Cavities result from many causes, including poor dental hygiene, lack of regular cleanings, a diet full of sugar or caffeine, and genetic proneness to them. Leaving them unfilled may seem like a better idea initially, than having them filled at the local dentist. However, the pain can get worse and it can also affect your quality of sleep. Cavities should be filled as soon as they are notified. Cavities that have been filled should be checked every couple of years, to ensure that the filling is still in place. If cavities continue to be a problem in a certain tooth, dental implants may be used to correct the chronic problem.
Sleep apnea
Although sleep apnea is not normally caused by dental problems, it can be the result of other facial or mouth problems. According to a study published in the Journal of Dental Research, participants who had obstructive sleep apnea symptoms experienced a 73% higher rate of TMD (temporomandibular disorder) symptoms. Sleep apnea physically affects sleep, because as the body gets less and less oxygen during sleep, the body is forced awake. A cosmetic dentist may not be able to fix sleep apnea with dental implants, but it is important to work with both your sleep apnea specialist and your family dentist on an appropriate treatment.
There is no question that sleep is a mandatory part of your daily routine. Without sleep, we are unable to efficiently function and every aspect of our day is affected. Some people go from medical doctor to medical doctor, attempting to find the cause of their poor sleep quality. Many fail to consider dental and mouth pain and how it affects sleep quality. Dental problems like broken teeth, overcrowded mouths, large spaces between the teeth, and cavities can all affect how well a person sleeps. Additionally, sleep apnea is another huge cause. Sleep apnea currently affects an estimated 18 million Americans. If you believe that dental or mouth pain may be damaging your ability to sleep, consult with your family dentist on your treatment options.