You may be asleep, but that doesn't suggest your body isn't
a scene of extreme activity. Your body has reactions whiles you sleep that can
be hazardous to your oral health if you don't react to it appropriately.
Saliva Decreases
For most people, saliva production decreases when you sleep.
This
helps your body to prevent producing too much saliva that would either
require you to swallow frequently throughout sleep, or might lead to
significant fluid loss as saliva escapes from your mouth due to muscle
relaxation.
Germs Get Busy
Saliva is one of your body's natural defenses against germs.
Saliva can eliminate bacteria and assist separate the protective movie, plaque,
that germs produce to keep saliva away. Nevertheless, when your body reduces saliva
production, bacteria find themselves in a more hospitable environment.
They can consume and replicate easily.
One issue with bacteria going crazy in your mouth during the
night is that because you're not eating at night, they find less carbs to feed
upon, so they turn to a less effective food source: protein, which might
include your body's mucous membranes. In the procedure of digesting protein, germs
will produce sulfurous gases, which is why you might observe bad early morning
breath, which can be a warning sign for periodontal illness.
Your Muscles May Relax
For the majority of people, when we sleep, our muscles just
relax. This is primarily good, it's what they're expected to do, and they need
the rest. However, if you have a certain anatomical setup of your air passage
and jaw, the muscles may relax to the point that they let your respiratory tract
close. This triggers obstructive sleep
apnea, as your tissues prevent you from breathing.
Or Your Muscles Might Tense
About 8-16% of people experience what is called sleep
bruxism, which is when your teeth clench while you sleep. This
might happen very frequently, and can involve bite forces many times what you require.
Bruxism is considered a leading cause of temporomandibular joint condition (TMJ), and might be found in as much as
two-thirds of TMJ patients.
Looking after Your Mouth in the evening
To prevent prospective effects of exactly what goes on in
your mouth in the evening, it is essential that you take proper care of your
mouth during the night. Brush and floss your teeth at night before
bed, and use an antiseptic rinse, if suggested. Get identified for
conditions like sleep bruxism and sleep apnea, which can both be managed with
oral device treatment.
To talk with us about having a healthy mouth 24 hours a day,
please contact West Jordan
Dentist today for a visit.
