Your bite and your sleep quality might seem unrelated. But, did you know there’s a surprising link between the two? In this post, we will explore how your bite, technically known as occlusion, can have a significant impact on your sleep patterns and quality.
Understanding Your Bite
The term “bite” refers to the way your upper and lower teeth fit together. A “normal” bite means all your teeth are straight, and your upper teeth slightly overlap your lower teeth when you close your mouth. Not everyone is blessed with a textbook-perfect bite. People often have malocclusions – problems with their bite resulting from misaligned teeth.
Different Types of Bite Issues
Underbite: Lower teeth overlap the upper teeth
Overbite: Front upper teeth overlap the bottom teeth
Crossbite: Some upper teeth fit inside lower ones and others fit outside
How Does Your Bite Impact Your Sleep?
Now, you might be wondering how your bite can possibly influence your sleep? The answer lies in the connection between your mouth and airways. An abnormal bite can contribute to sleep disorders by restricting the airway, leading to issues such as sleep apnea.
Understanding Sleep Apnea
Sleep apnea is a sleep disorder in which breathing temporarily stops and starts during sleep. The pause in breathing often results in a drop in oxygen levels in the body, causing the person to wake up gasping for air. Sleep apnea is mainly divided into two categories – obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and central sleep apnea.
The Link Between Your Bite and Sleep Apnea
Your bite and sleep apnea are closely related. Let’s dive a little deeper into it:
- Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA): This form of sleep apnea occurs when the muscles at the back of the throat relax, causing your airway to narrow or close as you breathe in. An abnormal bite, particularly an overbite, can cause your lower jaw to recede, pushing your tongue further back into your airway. This can contribute to the airway’s obstruction when sleeping, exacerbating or potentially causing OSA.
- Temporomandibular Joint Disorder (TMD): TMD, a disorder affecting the jaw’s hinge, is another condition that can develop because of malocclusion. TMD can contribute to sleep apnea as it can change the normal alignment of jaw structures, reducing the airway size and obstructing airflow.
Treatments for Bite-Related Sleep Issues
Fortunately, advancements in dentistry have made it possible to treat bite-related sleep issues effectively. Two fields that often play pivotal roles are Neuromuscular Dentistry and Neuromuscular Orthodontics.
Neuromuscular Dentistry
This field of dentistry goes beyond just treating teeth. It evaluates the entire system that controls the positioning and functioning of the jaw. It looks at the hard tissue (teeth and bone) and the soft tissue (muscles and nerves). By treating malocclusions with a neuromuscular approach, dentists can reduce symptoms of sleep apnea.
Neuromuscular Orthodontics
Neuromuscular orthodontics is another important space in addressing occlusion issues. It uses braces and other dental devices to move the teeth into the proper position, aligning the jaw in the process. It aids in correcting structural issues that may impact sleep.
The Takeaway
The surprising link between your bite and your sleep highlights the importance of comprehensive dental care. Miami Designer Smiles specializes in neuromuscular dentistry and orthodontics capable of addressing these complex issues. Our team, led by Dr. Concepcion Sanchez-Garcia and Dr. Raul Garcia, works diligently to identify root causes and provides effective solutions tailored to individual patient needs. Remember, a healthy, aligned bite rewards you with better sleep – and better overall health.