Having trouble sleeping? It might be your teeth. Yes you read that right; There are a variety of oral health issues that can disrupt sleep, from teeth grinding to pain caused by canker sores. If you have trouble falling asleep, or can’t sleep for long periods at night, solving any issues you have hiding in your mouth might be the key to a finally getting some quality sleep.
The best resource for diagnosing oral health issues is an expert dentist: find a trustworthy dentist near you to ensure you’re taking care of your teeth and gums, and to help you understand the connection between oral health and sleep. Below you’ll find some common oral health concerns — many of which can cause sleep disruptions, insomnia and other nighttime woes.
Canker sores
Canker sores are a common issue that affects the inside of the mouth. Also known as aphthous ulcers, canker sores are painful sores that form on the soft tissue inside the mouth, usually the cheeks or lips, or less often on the tongue or soft palette at the back of the mouth. For reasons that are poorly understood, canker sores don’t have a direct cause. They may be caused by a virus, an allergic reaction, an an auto-immune condition or an injury. Smoking or stress can also cause flare ups.
Canker sores are painful for several days until they heal, and the pain can disrupt or prevent sleep. If a canker sore is keeping you up at night, learn more about treatment options, and talk to a dentist or an ear, nose and throat doctor to help address the issue.
Cavities
One of the most common dental issues, cavities are holes in the teeth caused by tooth decay. If left untreated, a cavity will gradually overtake a healthy tooth, causing it to eventually fall out. Cavities may cause pain and discomfort that can disrupt sleep. Many people have cavities without realizing it.
Cavities require treatment by a dentist, who will clear out the rotted part of the tooth and protect the healthy areas with fillings. Dental decay is preventable, but keeping your teeth in tip-top shape requires regular brushing and flossing, adequate fluoride and regular visits to the dentist.
Difficulty breathing/snoring
Many breathing issues are in fact linked to oral health. Snoring can be a sign of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), a common disorder that causes the airway to close during sleep, which can lead to snoring.
Not everyone who snores has OSA – and not everyone with OSA snores – but if snoring or other nighttime breathing issues are keeping you up at night, consider paying a visit to the doctor: your general provider may refer you to a sleep specialist who can provide specific guidance regarding sleep apnea, snoring, and sleep.
Dry mouth
Dry mouth is a common issue that disrupts the sleep of many Americans, especially older adults. Since saliva helps to protect the health of the mouth, dry mouth, also known as xerostomia, can increase the risk for dental decay or fungal infections.
Dry mouth has multiple causes. It is a common side effect of many medications, including those for blood pressure, depression, and bladder control. It’s also caused by several diseases, notably Sjogren’s syndrome, as well as HIV/AIDS and diabetes. There are a variety of effective treatments. If you have persistent dry mouth that’s disrupting your sleep, or giving you a sore, dry throat, check with your doctor about potential solutions.
Gum disease
Gum disease, also known as periodontal disease, is damage to the gums and underlying bone caused by inflammation and infection of gum tissue or bone. Gum disease affects 47.2% of American adults aged 30 and older.
Gum disease can cause the gums to swell and bleed, and make your teeth feel as if they are exposed or loose. All of this can disrupt sleep and cause significant pain. If you’re concerned about gum disease, or any of the above symptoms are keeping you up at night, schedule a visit with a dentist or a periodontal disease doctor near you.
Jaw pain
Many people awake from pain in their jaw. Jaw pain has a variety of root causes. One is temporomandibular joint disorder, or TMJ, which is caused by inflammation of the joint that connects the jawbone to the other skull bones. TMJ can cause pain while chewing, swallowing, or speaking. Clenching or grinding the teeth, which are common during sleep, can worsen TMJ pain.
Jaw pain can also be caused by temporal arteritis, a disease affecting the blood vessels in the temporal artery, which runs through the temples. Other dental or oral health issues can also cause jaw pain, from dental decay/cavities to teeth grinding.
If your jaw pain is keeping you up at night or causing discomfort in the morning after sleep, check with a doctor to see what’s going on.
Teeth grinding/bruxism
Bruxism is the medical term for teeth grinding or clenching. It is more common at night during sleep, though some people with bruxism grind or clench their teeth while awake, too. Bruxism can cause headaches, jaw and tooth pain, and damage the teeth through excessive wear and tear. People with nighttime bruxism often wake with head, neck, or jaw pain, and it often disrupts sleep.
One simple treatment for nighttime bruxism is a mouth guard, which can be molded specifically to your mouth and protect your teeth from grinding and clenching. Other treatments include behavioral therapy, anxiety or sleep medications, or Botox injections, which can help to relax the jaw muscles.
Oral hygiene tips for improving sleep
Taking great care of your teeth is important whether or not you suffer from any of the above issues. Daily tooth brushing and flossing, and regular visits to an expert dentist for cleaning and examination, are all important parts of a healthy dental routine. These steps will also help you identify whether you have any of issues listed above, and address them directly.
Avoid habits that can damage your teeth and lead to these sleep-disrupting oral health issues, including smoking, nail biting, brushing too hard, eating excessive sugar and chewing on ice cubes.
A healthy nighttime dental routine can also help you get a great night’s sleep. Take the following steps to ensure healthy teeth and a fresh mouth:
- Floss every night, or use a Waterpik
- Brush teeth with a soft-bristled brush for two minutes, being sure to brush all dental surfaces and tongue
- Consider switching to an electric toothbrush, which are more efficient than regular toothbrushes
- Don’t eat or drink anything but water after brushing