Closed-mouth breathing is something many may take for granted, but it is something we all need. When you sleep with your mouth closed, you keep your teeth more protected and less likely to fall victim to cavities and gum disease. By sleeping with your mouth open, your mouth will dry out. This means that your teeth are more susceptible to damage.
Saliva helps to keep your teeth moist, which helps protect them against dental issues like cavities and erosion. You don’t get any of this protection if your mouth is wide-open all-night long.
Sleeping with Your Mouth Open
Snoring and sleeping with your mouth open means that your oral tissues dry out all night long. This includes your gums, the insides of your cheeks, your lips, your teeth, and your tongue. This is the prime environment for bacteria to grow, as there is no saliva to impede its growth. This means that when you wake up, the bacteria have had ample time to eat away at the enamel on your teeth and cause trouble.
If you want to protect your teeth when you sleep, consider talking to your dentist about having a customized mouth guard made. The mouth guard helps to hold in the moisture while you sleep, and can actually stop you from snoring. It is a simple process and it can give you a lot of peace of mind.
Talk with your dentist the next time you go in for a checkup to find out what their policies are regarding mouth guards. They may have different suggestions on how to sleep with your mouth closed that they would like you to try first. If you want more information on how a mouth guard can help to protect your teeth while you sleep, ask your dentist. They can really help!
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