Snoring is an issue in many households. In fact, 90 million Americans snore at least occasionally, and over 37 million Americans snore nearly every night. Snoring can lead to a host of problems, but did you know that snoring can cause problems with your gums? Here is some information about how snoring could lead to receding gums.
WHY IS SNORING A PROBLEM?
Snoring is one of the symptoms of sleep apnea. Sleep apnea is caused by an excess of tissue in the back of your throat. If there is too much tissue in the back of your throat, it can cause you to stop breathing for a few seconds, all through the night. Lack of sleep can lead to all kinds of health problems, including heart and lung issues and even depression.
One of the problems with snoring is that it can also go hand in hand with tooth clenching or grinding, which can lead to gum disease and tooth decay. Snoring also leads to you sleeping with your mouth open, which can cause dry mouth.
DRY MOUTH AND RECEDING GUMS
When you sleep with your mouth open, it dries out your mouth. A dry mouth can lead to a lot of bacterial growth. Bacteria in your mouth can cause tooth decay and gum disease. Bacteria can also cause gums to recede because of gum disease. When gums recede, they can expose tooth nerves and cause further damage.
If you are concerned about your snoring, we urge you to speak with us. There are ways that we can help your sleep apnea, which helps your snoring, as well as your teeth and gums. When your mouth is closed, your saliva can do its thing. It is able to wash away bacteria and food particles, which helps your mouth stay healthy. If you have question about sleep apnea, snoring or oral health, contact us or visit dentist hamilton ga today!