Our mouths are what we use to say things, but there are many other things that our mouths can tell us without uttering a word. Our oral hygiene can reveal a lot about the quality of our sleep, for example. Here’s what to look out for.
Grinding Teeth
Did you know that there is actually a name for teeth grinding. Known as bruxism, it is often caused by stress and anxiety, but can also be an indication of sleep apnea. The temporary pause in breathing can trigger your body to grind as a way of re-opening your airway.
Imprinted Tongue
Ever find that your tongue has some interesting pattern going on? The indentations can be caused by subconsciously pushing your tongue against your teeth to open up your airway caused by sleep apnea. In fact, 80% of people who have a scalloped tongue have this sleeping condition.
Acid Reflux
There is a direct connection between sleep apnea and acid reflux. Acid from the stomach flowing back up the esophagus can result in the back of the throat becoming inflamed, restricting breathing. It works the other way too, with sleep apnea causing pressure on the stomach which can lead to acid reflux.
