Another side effect of Sleep Apnea -- Tooth Decay

Janelle · Post by **Janelle** » Thu May 26, 2005 8:07 pm

Saw on TV tonight that people who sleep with their mouths open (read that OSA sufferers) have a much higher incidence of cavities.

wading thru the muck! · Post by **wading thru the muck!** » Thu May 26, 2005 8:50 pm

Janelle,

That's easy to solve! Just don't open your mouth when you sleep.

Janelle · Post by **Janelle** » Fri May 27, 2005 3:12 am

After a month with a chin strap, I retrained my jaw and my mouth doesn't open anymore when I'm alseep, so my next dental checkup ought to be a good one, huh?

ahujudybear · Post by **ahujudybear** » Fri May 27, 2005 7:04 am

Two points:

I have been told by two people (my RT and a sleep study tech) that when we go to sleep, our muscles become as if they were paralyzed. This includes the jaw muscles, and if we are lying in a position where the jaw can fall open - to whatever degree - it will.

Other point is that just because two symptoms appear together doesn't necessarily mean that one causes the other. In the case of tooth decay, the source for this could be a childhood disease that included a sustained elevated temperature, as in polio, scarlet fever, rubella, etc. That childhood disease could also be a partial reason for a person sleeping with their mouth open, as in the case with polio where the breathing muscles were affected or maybe facial paralysis.

You might want to look back and see if there isn't some underlying cause for both problems.

- JB

Heidi · Post by **Heidi** » Fri May 27, 2005 10:11 am

Funny this topic should come up as I just came back from dentist. My dentis is also a OSAer. He says that people who have OSA should brush, floss and then use a rinse like ACT to help prevent problems.

It is the dry mouth that causes the problems, but ACT has been proven to help prevent problems.

Good luck!

rpalmer · Post by **rpalmer** » Wed Jun 01, 2005 1:11 am

Heidi wrote:It is the dry mouth that causes the problems, but ACT has been proven to help prevent problems.

My dentist agrees with yours, Heidi. Dry mouth is apparently a significant factor in accelerated tooth decay, not to mention the discomfort.

My dentist recommended Biotene toothpaste, mouthwash, & chewing gum to help alleviate dry mouth & I've been happy with the results from using it for the past few years. It's available in most drug stores or department store drug departments.

Rol

chrisp · Post by **chrisp** » Wed Jun 01, 2005 2:32 pm

So you chew gum in your sleep ? I'd rather use a heated humidifier and keep my mouth closed. And brush often with a non abrasive TP.

rpalmer · Post by **rpalmer** » Wed Jun 01, 2005 2:49 pm

chrisp wrote:So you chew gum in your sleep ?

Well, I thought maybe if I really chomped down on the gum before I fell asleep, my teeth would be stuck together & I wouldn't breathe thru my mouth. It didn't work!

Rol

Another side effect of Sleep Apnea -- Tooth Decay

Another side effect of Sleep Apnea -- Tooth Decay

Another side effect of Sleep Apnea -- Tooth Decay

Dry Mouth & Tooth Decay

Sleeping Gum Chewer