How treating sleep apnea can protect your teeth and gums

Sleep apnea not only affects your sleep but can also harm your oral health. If you’ve been waking up with dry mouth or jaw pain, sleep apnea may be the root cause. Here, we explain how sleep apnea can affect your oral health and what you can do about it.

A quick look at sleep apnea

Sleep apnea is a type of sleep disorder that causes interrupted breathing during sleep. The breaks in your breathing are called “apneas,” and they last from only a few seconds to up to a minute each. Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is the most common form of sleep apnea.¹ This type of sleep apnea occurs when your throat muscles overrelax and your tongue falls on your airway during sleep, which causes your airflow to be blocked. In addition to causing snoring and poor sleep quality, sleep apnea can cause major health problems, like stroke and cardiovascular disease, when it’s not treated.²

Oral health symptoms related to sleep apnea

People with sleep apnea can experience several oral health-related problems, including:

• Dry mouth: When your airway is blocked during sleep, you may start mouth breathing. Mouth breathing can lead to dry mouth, which occurs when there is a drop in saliva production. Saliva helps clear away harmful bacteria in your mouth, so dry mouth raises your risk of cavities, gum disease and bad breath.
• Teeth grinding: Many people with OSA grind their teeth at night without even realizing it, sometimes as an instinctive way to reopen their airway. Over time, this can wear down enamel and cause jaw problems.
• Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders: The jaw tension from grinding can lead to jaw pain, popping sounds, headaches and difficulty chewing.³

Your dentist may be the first to spot sleep apnea

You might have sleep apnea and not even know it. Your dentist may be the first person to spot some telltale sleep apnea signs that can help get you diagnosed.

Seeing your dentist every 6 months gives you more than just a deep dental cleaning. These are preventive visits, meaning your dentist is looking in and around your mouth for any problems. When you see your dentist twice a year, it increases the chances that your dentist will catch any issues early on.

When it comes to sleep apnea, your mouth can reveal subtle signs that might only be noticed by your dentist. Things like a tongue with wavy indents around the sides or worn down teeth from grinding are signs that might prompt your dentist to ask about your sleep habits and potentially refer you to a sleep specialist who can help you get proper treatment.

Treating sleep apnea

The most commonly prescribed sleep apnea treatment is continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP).² A CPAP machine keeps your airway open using pressurized air sent through a tube that is connected to a mask that you wear during sleep.

Another treatment for sleep apnea is an oral appliance. Oral appliances can be used with CPAP or used alone for people who can’t use a CPAP machine.

There are two types of oral appliances for sleep apnea: mandibular advancement devices (MADs) and tongue-stabilizing devices (TSDs). Your dentist can recommend the right one for you.

An oral appliance is a snug, custom-fitted device that gently moves your jaw or tongue to keep your airway open. When properly fitted and regularly checked by your dentist, these devices can reduce mouth breathing and grinding, and improve your sleep.

Better sleep, healthy mouth: What you can do now

1. Talk to your dentist: If you notice dry mouth, grinding or jaw pain, especially if you also snore or feel sleepy during the day, give your dentist a call.
2. Get properly diagnosed: Your dentist may refer you to a sleep medicine specialist so you can get a sleep apnea diagnosis.
3. Get the right treatment: Whether it’s CPAP, oral appliance therapy or a combination, getting on the right treatment is essential.
4. Keep twice yearly dental checkups: These visits will help safeguard your oral health and catch any potential issues before they become major problems.

Sleep and oral health are more connected than you might think. Treating one often benefits the other. So, if you notice symptoms, don’t hesitate to talk to your dentist. They’ll get you on the right path toward better sleep and better health.

REFERENCES:

1. American Dental Association
2. Touro College of Dental Medicine
3. University General Dentists

SOURCES:

Rutgers 

Cleveland Clinic 

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Open enrollment made simple: What your employees need to know

Open Enrollment is the once-a-year opportunity for employees to review, update and enroll in benefits that support their overall health and financial well-being. Whether they’re considering Delta Dental of Iowa dental and vision benefits, or other employer-sponsored benefits, taking a few minutes to help your employees prepare can help them make smart choices for the year ahead.

We’ve put together some general information and helpful tips below – ready for you to share with your employees to help prepare them for upcoming benefits enrollment.

When is open enrollment?

Open Enrollment for 2026 will typically take place Nov. 1, 2025 to Jan. 15, 2026, though exact dates may vary by state and/or employer.

Why Dental and Vision Benefits Matter

Having health insurance increases the chances you’ll get preventive care (as opposed to only seeing a dentist or doctor when you’re sick or in pain).¹ When you go to your preventive exams, it’s more likely that any problems are caught early, when they’re easier and less expensive to treat.

All Delta Dental of Iowa dental plans include coverage for preventive services, like cleanings and exams. Dental benefits can also help cover costs for fillings, crowns or more extensive treatment.

Vision coverage helps cover the cost of routine eye exams, and prescription lenses or contacts. Eye exams can also uncover early signs of whole-body health issues, such as diabetes and high blood pressure.

By enrolling in both dental and vision benefits, you’re protecting not only your smile and vision but also your overall health. And with the power of early detection from preventive care, you’ll protect your financial health, too.

Open enrollment tips and checklist

Use this quick checklist to make sure you’re prepared when open enrollment begins:

• Review your current benefits. Ask yourself: Did my healthcare needs change this year? Do I anticipate more dental or vision care in the upcoming year?
• Check provider networks. Make sure your preferred dentist and eye specialist is in-network for the most cost savings. The Delta Dental of Iowa Find a Provider tool can help with that.
• Compare plan options. If there are multiple plans to choose from, review the coverage levels, monthly premiums and out-of-pocket costs to find the right balance for your budget and care needs.
• Consider your family. If you’re enrolling a spouse and/or children, think about their upcoming dental and vision care, such as orthodontics or eye exams for kids.
• Ask questions. If anything is unclear, reach out to your HR team or benefits administrator before the deadline.

A final tip: Open Enrollment is available for several weeks, but don’t wait until the last minute to enroll. Give yourself time to consider your options and make confident choices. You can’t predict what the future year will hold, but thinking through your potential healthcare needs will help you choose a plan that sets you up for a healthy year ahead.