When most people think about orthodontics, they think about straighter teeth and a more confident smile. But the way your teeth fit together can affect far more than just your appearance. In some cases, your bite pattern can even be linked to breathing issues during sleep, including obstructive sleep apnea. However, understanding this connection can be an important step toward better sleep, better oral health, and a much better quality of life. Here’s what you need to know.
What Exactly Is Obstructive Sleep Apnea?
Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a condition where breathing repeatedly stops and starts during sleep due to airway obstruction. Some common symptoms include loud snoring, gasping or choking during sleep, daytime fatigue, morning headaches, memory problems, and more. Left untreated, sleep apnea can increase the risk of issues like high blood pressure, heart disease, and other health concerns. But what does it have to do with how your teeth fit together?
How an Improper Bite Can Affect Breathing
Your jaw position and bite alignment play a role in how much space your airway has, especially while you’re sleeping. Certain bite issues may contribute to the airway becoming narrower, including overbites, when the upper teeth extend past the lower arch, as well as underbites, which is the opposite. Open bites can also impact the airway, and some patients also have narrow dental arches that reduce the amount of space left for the tongue, which might make it partially block airflow.
Regardless of the cause, when the airway becomes crowded, blocked, or collapses during sleep, breathing can be restored, which can directly lead to sleep apnea events.
How Orthodontic Treatment May Help
Orthodontic treatment can play a supportive role in improving airway function for certain patients, in addition to helping them achieve their smile goals! By addressing bite alignment and jaw positioning, orthodontics can essentially create more space for the tongue and airway, meaning adequate airflow during the night.
Aligning the teeth with metal braces or Invisalign clear aligners can improve bite function and support healthier jaw posture. For younger patients, sometimes palatal expansion or other functional appliances can be used to expand the amount of room for the airway. However, orthodontics is not just limited to children and teens; as patients age and their mouths change, their bite pattern may end up needing assistance to counter the impact of sleep apnea.
A properly aligned bite isn’t just about aesthetics; it can quite literally improve how you breathe, and in turn, your ability to rest each night. If you suspect your bite might be misaligned and it’s contributing to what seems like sleep apnea, don’t hesitate to seek professional treatment.
About the Practice
Our team here at Simply Orthodontics has proudly served the needs of patients and families in Hopkinton and the surrounding communities for several years. With Dr. Sam Alkhoury leading the way, we offer a variety of orthodontic services for patients of all ages, including traditional braces, Invisalign, and many others. If you have any questions about the blog or you need to schedule an appointment for yourself or a family member, please call or reach out online for more information or assistance. Telephone: (508) 917-4466.
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