The Oral Signs of Airway Issues: What Your Mouth Might Be Telling You

Nov 11

Did you know that your dentist might be the first to notice signs of airway issues that could be affecting your sleep and overall well-being? Many people with sleep disordered breathing (SDB) or obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) may not even realize they have a problem until symptoms begin to affect their daily life—and sometimes those symptoms are first visible in the mouth. OSA has been associated with serious medical conditions including cardiovascular disease and stroke, so prevention and treatment are critical. If you or a loved one is experiencing unexplained dental issues like teeth grinding or jaw pain, it might be time to consider whether airway problems are at play.

Dental Signs of an Airway Issue

Here are some common dental indicators that may suggest an airway issue:

Tooth Wear (Bruxism): Grinding your teeth, especially at night, may be your body’s response to restricted airflow during sleep.
Cracked & Broken Teeth: Continuous grinding or clenching puts excessive pressure on your teeth, leading to cracks or breakage.
Abfractions: These small notches at the gum line occur when excessive stress is placed on the teeth, often caused by grinding or clenching.
Scalloped or Enlarged Tongue: A scalloped tongue, with indentations along the edges, or an enlarged tongue may indicate that it’s crowding your airway, leading to restricted breathing during sleep.
Enlarged Tonsils: Particularly common in children, enlarged tonsils can obstruct the airway during sleep, contributing to breathing difficulties and poor sleep quality.
Tori (Bony Growths): Bony growths inside the mouth, often linked to excessive grinding or pressure, can make the oral airway smaller as they develop, further restricting airflow.
Narrow Arches or High Palate: A narrow upper jaw or high, arched palate reduces the space in the nasal airway. Since the palate forms the floor of the nose, inadequate maxillary growth can significantly impact the airway space. A narrow palate may also prevent the tongue from fully suctioning to the roof of the mouth during sleep, which can cause the tongue to fall back and block the airway.
Tongue Tie: Restricted tongue movement can prevent the tongue from maintaining proper suction against the palate during sleep, increasing the risk of the tongue collapsing into the airway and contributing to breathing issues.

What is Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) and Sleep Disordered Breathing (SDB)?

Sleep disordered breathing (SDB) refers to a range of conditions where breathing is interrupted during sleep. Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is the most serious form of SDB and occurs when the airway becomes partially or completely blocked during sleep. This can result in loud snoring, choking, or gasping for air during the night, as well as daytime symptoms like fatigue, headaches, and difficulty concentrating.

OSA affects more people than you might think—over 25% of adults and 10-12% of children suffer from some form of sleep disordered breathing, though many remain undiagnosed.

Why You Shouldn’t Ignore Sleep Disorders

Sleep apnea and other airway issues don’t just affect your sleep—they can have serious long-term impacts on your overall health. Here are some of the health risks associated with untreated OSA:

Heart Disease: Sleep apnea puts extra strain on your cardiovascular system, increasing your risk of high blood pressure, heart attacks, strokes, and arrhythmias (irregular heartbeats).
Type 2 Diabetes: Sleep disorders can interfere with how your body regulates insulin, contributing to insulin resistance and the development of diabetes.
Weight Gain: OSA is commonly linked to obesity. Unfortunately, untreated sleep apnea can make it more difficult to lose weight, creating a cycle where one issue worsens the other.
Cognitive Issues: Poor sleep quality can impact your memory, concentration, and cognitive function, potentially leading to early signs of dementia or Alzheimer’s disease.
Mental Health Problems: Sleep apnea can increase the risk of anxiety, depression, and mood swings due to chronic fatigue and disrupted sleep cycles. Symptoms of sleep apnea also mimic symptoms of ADD in children.
Weakened Immune System: Lack of restorative sleep can make it harder for your body to fight off infections and recover from illness.

Recognizing and addressing these issues early can make a significant difference in your long-term health and quality of life.

How Your Dental Health and Airway Issues Are Connected

It might surprise you to learn that many dental issues are linked to sleep disorders. For example, people who grind their teeth (a condition known as bruxism) or suffer from TMJ (jaw joint pain) may actually be experiencing the side effects of sleep apnea. The body’s response to airway obstruction is often clenching or grinding, which helps reopen the airway temporarily but can cause lasting damage to the teeth and jaw.

While dentists don’t diagnose sleep disorders, we can often spot early warning signs during routine exams. At Alive Dental, we also offer WatchPat Home Sleep Screenings that a patient can use to do a sleep test at home. Once you return the device, the data is uploaded and diagnosed by a sleep physician.

What Can You Do About Airway Issues and Sleep Disorders?

Start by discussing your concerns with your dentist—they can assess your oral health for signs that may suggest an airway issue. From there, a sleep test may be recommended, which could either be a take-home test or conducted by a sleep physician. If a sleep disorder is diagnosed, the sleep physician will provide treatment recommendations.

Common treatments include:

Upper airway soft tissue modification (such as laser therapy) – NightLase is available at Alive Dental.
Orofacial myofunctional therapy (OMT) to improve the strength and coordination of the tongue and facial muscles.
Tongue-tie release, which should be paired with OMT.
Orthodontic treatment to help develop the dental arches.
Mandibular advancement devices
Consultation with an ENT specialist to identify potential causes of obstruction and explore options for soft tissue modification in the upper airway.
Nasal continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP)

Give Yourself the Gift of Health This Holiday Season

As the holidays approach, it’s a great time to focus on your well-being. If you’re noticing any signs of airway issues or suspect a sleep disorder could be affecting your health, take the first step toward a better night’s sleep and improved overall health. Getting tested for sleep apnea or sleep disordered breathing can help you start the new year feeling more rested, energized, and ready to take on life’s challenges.

Your health is one of the most valuable gifts you can give yourself this season. Take care of your body—and your sleep—so you can enjoy a healthier, happier future.