Gentry Dental
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The Impact of Oral Health on Sleep Quality

March 15, 2025
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Posted By: Heather Gentry, DMD
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Do you wake up with a dry mouth, sore jaws, or other oral irritations? Do you feel sleepy and irritable throughout the day?

You may have oral health issues causing sleep disturbances or even sleep apnea, contributing to poor sleep quality.

Your dentist can assess your oral health and provide holistic treatments to help improve sleep quality and nighttime safety.

Oral Health and Sleep Related Issues

We provide holistic remedies for sleep-related dental health issues, such as mercury-free restorations and appliance therapy.

Mouth Breathing

Breathing through your mouth due to anatomical or sinus issues is about more than a dry mouth every morning. Dry mouth can increase your tooth decay risks and lead to tooth sensitivity. Additionally, mouth breathing can indicate issues that need addressing.

Decay and Tooth Infections

The pain associated with untreated decay and tooth infections can make sleeping difficult. If you have a toothache or lingering sensitivity, you should see your dentist as soon as possible for an assessment. Tooth infections are considered dental emergencies.

Obstructive Sleep Apnea

Obstructive sleep apnea means you stop breathing multiple times during the night. Over time, this can lead to significant health complications, including high blood pressure, kidney failure, sudden stroke, and more.

Sometimes, sleep apnea is linked to bruxism (teeth grinding and clenching).

Symptoms of sleep apnea include:

  • Snoring
  • Sudden waking throughout the night
  • Daytime sleepiness
  • Dry mouth
  • Jaw pain
  • Higher blood pressure

Oral Health and Sleep Apnea Treatment in Charlotte, NCBlack man and woman smiling at each other, charlotte nc

You should visit your holistic dentist every six months for checkups and dental cleanings. If you suspect sleep apnea, talk to us about a diagnosis and treatment.

Sometimes, we can offer holistic sleep apnea therapy to help you sleep safely and restfully.

Our sleep apnea approach includes:

  • An at-home sleep study to monitor your rest
  • Oral appliance therapy in conjunction with or instead of CPAP

CPAP is a standard treatment that uses a mask and bedside machine. The machine delivers air throughout the night, prompting the patient to breathe normally. However, this machine is bulky, and some patients can’t acclimate to the mask.

Appliance therapy involves creating a custom appliance that fits over the teeth and gently opens the airway during sleep.

For Sleep Apnea Treatment in Charlotte, Contact Us

To learn more or to schedule an assessment with the dentist, call us at (704) 554-1007. We accept third-party financing through CareCredit and LendingClub.

If you have difficulty using our website, please email us or call us at (704) 554-1007
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