What is Sleep Apnea?

Is Your Snore a Bore? What Sleep Apnea Has to Do with Your Teeth

Do you snore like a freight train and wake up feeling like you wrestled a bear in your sleep? You might think it’s just a "you snore, they deal with it" kind of situation—but your mouth might be trying to tell you something more serious.

Welcome to the wild world of sleep apnea—a sneaky sleep disorder that’s not just about bad sleep and groggy mornings. Believe it or not, your dentist might be the first person to spot it.

Wait, What’s Sleep Apnea Again?

Sleep apnea is when your breathing literally stops and starts while you sleep. The most common kind, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), happens when your throat muscles relax too much and block your airway. It’s like your body’s trying to nap while forgetting how to breathe.

Scary? A bit. But here’s where your teeth come in.

Your Mouth Has Clues

Dentists are basically detectives when it comes to sleep apnea. They look for clues like:

Teeth grinding (aka bruxism): Your body might clench or grind to open your airway.

Dry mouth or sore throat: Mouth-breathing at night can turn your mouth into the Sahara.

Worn down teeth or enamel: Grinding takes a serious toll on your smile.

Scalloped tongue: Weird but true—your tongue may leave little ridges from pressing against your teeth.

If your dentist points any of these out, don’t shrug it off. It’s not just about cavities anymore.

Mouthpieces That Save Sleep

No, we’re not talking about football mouthguards. Dentists can fit you with a custom oral appliance—a small device you wear at night that keeps your jaw and tongue in the right position so you can breathe (and sleep) like a champ.

For many people, it’s a comfortable, quiet alternative to a CPAP machine—and it could make a huge difference in your energy, mood, and even heart health.

The Bottom Line

If your sleep is off and your mouth feels like it’s sending out an SOS, don’t hit snooze. Your dentist might just be the sleep hero you didn’t know you needed. Call our office at (805)241-5353 to schedule a consultation. 

Better sleep, healthier mouth, happier mornings. Now that’s something to smile about.