Are Mouth Guards Necessary for Sleep Apnea?

Sleep apnea is a common disorder that obstructs breathing while a person sleeps, causing shallow breathing or one or more pauses in breathing. Breathing pauses can last from a few seconds to minutes and may occur a few times throughout the night. Normal breathing starts again soon after these episodes, but it may be accompanied by loud snoring or a choking sound. While many often worry about the effects of sleep apnea on their breathing, quality of sleep, and cardiovascular health—as they should—it’s in their best interest to also think about the effects this condition has on their oral health.

Dr. Reyes Enciso, an assistant professor of clinical dentistry at the University of Southern California, said the risk of sleep apnea increases greatly depending on age and body mass index and is much more common in men. "As many as one out of every six people over 50 has at least mild sleep apnea," Dr. Enciso said. "And it's estimated that almost 75 percent of severe apnea cases are undiagnosed." To determine if someone has sleep apnea, a sleep study may be performed to monitor sleep habits.

People who struggle with sleep apnea may sleep with their mouth open, causing dry mouth. The mouth needs saliva to fight off bacteria—a lack of saliva can lead to more germs in the mouth. With more severe cases, dry mouth can even lead to tooth decay. The National Sleep Foundation (NSF) believes sleep apnea can also lead to teeth grinding.

According to the NSF, treating sleep apnea can help lessen nocturnal teeth grinding. The shape of the jaw and overall bite affects one’s risk of having this condition. This is why wearing a mouth guard may have its perks in sleep apnea cases. A mouth guard may aid with mild cases of sleep apnea, and it’s even effective for correcting loud snoring. The mouth guard can adjust the position of the tongue and the lower portion of the jaw. This helps keep airways open while a person is sleeping.

Another kind of oral appliance that can help treat sleep apnea is a mandibular advancement device. The device looks like a mouth guard and prevents teeth grinding. Whether a mouth guard is essential for sleep apnea depends on a condition’s severity, but even mild cases can benefit from the increased airflow provided by the mouthpiece. Some prefer to wear a continuous positive airway pressure device (CPAP), which has a mask that fits over the nose and mouth and blows air to help keep airways open. To determine which is right for you, consult with your healthcare provider or your dental health professional.

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