If you have visited an orthodontist before, you know that these experts specialize in “bad bite” treatments like braces and dental implants. What you might not have known is how orthodontics can improve respiratory health and sleep through breathing treatments. Since your sleep health and your oral health affect one another, the treatments offered by orthodontists are integral to maintaining your well-being in these areas.
Today, we will explain how orthodontics can improve your oral health, breathing, and sleep schedule. Set an appointment with our full-service dentist in Chino Hills to start working on a personalized treatment plan.
Breathing Irregularities and Dental Health
Your parents might have warned you against sleeping with your mouth open. Breathing through an open mouth can have negative consequences on your teeth and gums. While you may not be able to fully control this habit, being aware of the connection between breathing patterns and dental health can help you mitigate adverse effects you would have faced otherwise.
Sleep Apnea
One of the most common conditions that affect breathing and the mouth is sleep apnea. Sleep apnea is usually identified by symptoms like hitched breath during sleep, temporary breathing cessation, and loud snoring at night. These irregularities can lead to conditions like tooth grinding, temporomandibular joint dysfunction (TMJ), or rapid tooth decay due to bacterial contact.
Sleep apnea occurs in both children and adults. Treatment typically involves using a CPAP device, which is a mask worn over the mouth and nose at night to facilitate steady breathing.
Temporomandibular Joint Disorder (TMJ)
TMJ occurs when you experience stiffness or pain in the joint that opens and closes your mouth. Over time, your jaw hinges can become tightened or misaligned, requiring extensive treatment. TMJ usually worsens over time because it often originates from excessive tooth grinding, which most patients engage in subconsciously at night. The misaligned bite caused by TMJ can obstruct airways and lead individuals to mouth breathing.
Tooth Decay
Irregular breathing can increase your risk of tooth decay. Mouth breathing dries out the gums and blows bacteria from the back of your mouth directly to the back of your teeth. The act can also dry out the tissue lining your mouth, which, over time, leads to a change in the mouth’s natural bacteria. This combination of dehydrated gums and bacterial imbalances promotes gum disease and tooth decay.
How Orthodontics Can Improve Respiratory Health
Available treatments depend on the condition you are struggling with. Younger patients struggling with asthma or sleep apnea can become candidates for specialized orthodontic treatment. Some patients may need to move forward with a more comprehensive treatment plan that covers both their respiratory and dental health.
Orthodontics usually works to combine two or more helpful treatments to give you the most success. In addition to offering traditional treatments for sleep apnea and asthma, our team at Dental Care of Chino Hills will also recommend specific treatments to relieve blocked airways and open up your respiratory system for better breathing. For example, braces or Invisalign may be recommended to straighten misaligned teeth and readjust your jaw to give you a brand-new aesthetic.
Boost Your Smile and Your Breathing with Dental Care of Chino Hills
We offer a wide range of orthodontic treatments for patients with both respiratory concerns and dental needs. Good facial and dental harmony is essential for the betterment of your overall health. You will look and feel better after getting a treatment that works for you. Contact Dental Care of Chino Hills today to get started!