uncomfortable sleep

Can Bad Teeth Affect Your Sleep?

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Time to read 9 min

Quality sleep is vital for overall health and well-being. As important as sleep is to good health, it is estimated that as many as 70 million Americans suffer from sleep-related issues. There are many reasons why people struggle to get a good night's rest and among those are tooth and jaw problems. 


It is a fact that the health and overall condition of our teeth and gums can have a significant impact on the quality of our sleep. From toothaches and jaw pain to snoring and sleep apnea, there are a variety of ways that our oral health can affect the way we sleep. 


In this article, we will explore how your bad teeth can affect your sleep and what you can do to improve your sleep quality.

How Can Bad Teeth Affect Your Sleep?


Teeth and jaw problems can have a significant impact on your sleep quality. Some common issues that can affect your sleep include:


  • Bruxism: Bruxism is the medical term for teeth grinding and clenching. This can happen during the day or at night and can cause jaw pain, headaches, and tooth damage. Bruxism can also lead to sleep disruptions, as the noise from grinding and clenching can even wake one up, not to mention your partner or roommates.
  • Toothaches and Jaw Pain: One of the most common problems that teeth can affect sleep is toothaches and jaw pain. A toothache can be caused by a variety of factors, including cavities, gum disease, and trauma to the tooth. If you are experiencing a   toothache at night  , it can be difficult to fall asleep or stay asleep, as the pain can be quite distracting. Additionally, if you grind your teeth at night, you may also experience jaw pain, which can also make it difficult to sleep.
jaw pain
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  • Dental decay: Dental decay (cavities) can cause toothaches and other symptoms that make it difficult to sleep.
  • Gum disease: Gum disease (periodontitis) can cause inflammation, pain, and bleeding in the gums. This contributes to further inflammation throughout the body. Added up, all of this contributes to difficult and restless sleep.
  • Obstructive Sleep Apnea: Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) is a sleep disorder that causes people to stop breathing for short periods during sleep. OSA is often caused by a blocked airway, which can be caused by a misaligned bite or a large overbite. Poor sleeping positions, often coupled with being overweight, all contribute to Sleep Apnea.
  • TMJ: Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) Disorder is a condition that affects the joints that connect the lower jaw to the skull. TMJ can cause pain and discomfort in the jaw and face, as well as headaches, earaches, and difficulty sleeping.

How to Improve Your Sleep Quality?


If you are experiencing tooth or jaw problems that are affecting your sleep quality, there are several things you can do to improve your sleep:


  • Wear a Night Guard: A night guard is a device that is worn over the teeth at night to prevent grinding and clenching. Night guards can help to protect your teeth from damage and reduce the noise of grinding, which can help you and your bed partner sleep better. A well-fitted night guard, worn regularly, will also help to reduce and/or prevent gum recession as well.

  • Treat Obstructive Sleep Apnea: If you have been diagnosed with OSA, there are several treatment options available, including lifestyle changes, weight loss, and the use of a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine.

  • Treat Obstructive Sleep Apnea: If you have been diagnosed with OSA, there are several treatment options available, including lifestyle changes, weight loss, and the use of a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine.
Sleep apnea
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jaw pain
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The Connection Between Oral Health And Sleep


Maintaining good oral health is important for overall health and well-being. Regular dental check-ups and cleanings can help to prevent tooth and jaw problems, which can affect your sleep quality. Additionally, good oral hygiene practices, such as daily brushing and flossing, can help to keep your teeth and gums healthy.


Can A Tooth Infection Affect Your Sleep?


A tooth infection, also known as an abscessed tooth, can have a significant impact on your sleep quality and overall health. Tooth infections occur when bacteria enter the pulp of a tooth, causing inflammation and damage to the surrounding tissue. This can lead to severe pain, swelling, and even fever.


The pain and discomfort associated with a tooth infection make it difficult to fall asleep and stay asleep. Many people report waking up multiple times during the night due to the tooth pain, which can lead to fatigue and sleep deprivation. This can have a negative impact on your overall health and well-being, as sleep plays a crucial role in maintaining physical and mental health.


Tooth infections also contribute to a range of other issues, such as bad breath, a metallic taste in the mouth, and difficulty opening the mouth that affect your ability to fall sleep and to achieve quality, restful sleep.


Most oral health issues take time to develop. And, most such issues are totally preventable. If you suspect a problem, seeking timely treatment from your dentist or health professional will most always save you from more painful, extensive and expensive treatments down the line. And, you will sleep better without that pain and discomfort.


Can Toothache Cause Insomnia? Do Rotten Teeth Cause Insomnia?


A toothache, or dental pain, is a debilitating condition that affects millions of people worldwide. It can be caused by a variety of factors (see our blog on Differentiating the Types of Tooth Pain). A toothache can be felt throughout the mouth and beyond being uncomfortable, this pain can easily cause insomnia and contribute to poor quality rest.


Insomnia is a condition in which a person has difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep and can be caused by a variety of factors, such as stress, anxiety, or physical pain. When a person is experiencing a toothache, the pain can make it difficult for them to fall asleep or stay asleep. The constant throbbing or aching can make it difficult for a person to relax and get comfortable, leading to insomnia. 


So, the answer is yes, a toothache can cause insomnia and other sleep-related problems. The constant pain and discomfort can make it difficult for a person to fall asleep or stay asleep, leading to insomnia. Remember, you can always take good care of your teeth to prevent toothache, which can lead to insomnia.


The pain may be worse at night when the mouth is dry and the blood flows to the area increases, causing inflammation and sensitivity. And, a toothache can also cause headaches, which will also disrupt sleep.

Can Your Teeth Affect Your Body–A Holistic View


Your teeth are more than just a cosmetic feature and play a bigger role than just chomping food. Your oral health and your overall health are closely linked together. It is a known fact that poor oral health is linked to a number of health issues that affect your entire body. 


One of the most common ways that your teeth can affect your body is through gum disease. Gum disease is caused by a buildup of plaque on your teeth and gums. If left untreated, it can lead to inflammation and infection in the gums. This can cause pain, bleeding, and even tooth loss. As gum disease advances, toxins leak into your body and systemic inflammation contributes to many other health conditions–from heart disease to brain damage.


One way that good health is achieved and maintained is through proper nutrition. If you have missing or damaged teeth, or painful teeth, it can make it difficult to chew foods. Missing teeth, unhealthy gums and a poor bite all make it harder to digest food properly and get all the nutrients your body needs to stay healthy. 


The point is that poor oral health is linked to a number of health issues that affect your entire body. An important part of living healthy is taking care your teeth, gums and your entire oral cavity. It is the gateway to your body.


A holistic approach to health embraces the entirety of you and understands that the health of the whole is determined by the health of the individual parts. It lies behind the philosophy of the Great Oral Health natural products . These products are designed to use and support the natural healing systems in your mouth, and body, to help you to prevent these oral health problems and ensure that your body stays healthier and happier.


Must read more for   9 Ways To Get Rid Of A Toothache At Night  .


Teeth and jaw problems can have a significant impact on your sleep quality. Tooth pain will keep you awake, as well as lessening the quality of the sleep that you did get. Bruxism, OSA, and TMJ are common issues that can affect your sleep duration and quality. 


The takeaway here is that maintaining good oral health is not only important for your teeth and gums but is a very important part of overall good health and well-being. Good quality sleep is more than just not being tired, it is one of the most important healing factors in your life. Eliminating tooth pain, jaw problems and such will do much to help you sleep better and so feel better.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How To Get Rid Of Bad Breath?

Effective bad breath remedies include:

Gentle and regular scraping of the tongue

Regular oral care practices such as daily brushing and flossing

Professional deep cleanings and plaque removal

The ongoing use of oral probiotics.

How Probiotics Work To Control Bad Breath

One, the probiotics compete with the existing bad bacteria and reduce their presence by “crowding them out”

Two, the probiotics produce BLIS or “bacteriocin-like-inhibitory-substances” which is a technical way of stating that one probiotic strain (bacteria) can produce a substance that inhibits or kills off other bacteria. Three, by working to control gingivitis, gum disease and tooth decay these probiotics reduce the very sources of bacteria-generated odors in the mouth.

How Do Oral Probiotics Work to Fight Tooth Decay?

  • First, oral probiotics can break into and colonize your mouth's biofilm, replacing the "bad" bacteria with good.
  • Second, the beneficial oral probiotics compete against the bad bacteria. In effect they crowd out the "bad" bacteria by establishing themselves in the limited space of the biofilm.
  • Third, now, with a lower volume of S. Mutans, and other acid-forming bacteria, the teeth and gums are not under the constant, disintegrating attack of acids.
  • Fourth, at the same time, the oral probiotics are producing alkaline byproducts. This action not only reduces the acids but inhibits the growth of "bad" bacteria as they thrive in acidic environments.
  • Fifth, as a part of the biofilm, the oral probiotics are able to make their way into those difficult to reach deep areas of the teeth and gums. Once there they can continuously work, 24/7, to create a balanced environment that inhibits tooth decay and gum disease while promoting the healing process.

How do Oral Probiotics Help Against Gum Disease?

  • First, our oral probiotics are chosen for their ability to penetrate into and to colonize within the biofilm (plaque) and to survive in the oral environment
  • Second, these oral probiotics have the ability to successfully compete against the harmful bacteria. There are limited resources in the biofilm and with more beneficial bacteria present then fewer harmful bacteria can exist
  • Third, it is not the presence of plaque that is so much the problem, it is the acids and toxins produced by certain bacteria that lead to gum disease and tooth decay. Fewer harmful bacteria in the plaque=lowered toxins and acids
  • Fourth, our oral probiotics improve your mouth's pH balance. This has the effect of reducing acid levels and establishes a pH level that inhibits the growth of harmful bacteria
  • Fifth, unlike brushing or flossing our oral probiotics work their way into those difficult to reach "hideout" zones and so they will work “around the clock” and not just when you brush or floss

Studies have shown a clear reduction in plaque levels and gingivitis symptoms when oral probiotics were administered to patients with moderate to severe gingivitis.