An orthodontist spoke about the impact of bite problems on sleep quality

Tired mornings, headaches, and even chronic irritability can be linked to a bad bite. Problems with the position of the jaws often interfere with the natural breathing processes during sleep, leading to apnea and bruxism. Viktoria Radko, orthodontist, head of orthodontic direction of the EUROKAPPA clinic scientific and clinical center, told Izvestia on January 26 how the bite can affect the quality of sleep and what to do about it.

According to her, jaw clenching and teeth grinding, called bruxism, often accompany bite problems. This condition can occur during the day as well as at night. The constant strain on the chewing muscles puts increased stress on the temporomandibular joint, which causes headaches, jaw and neck pain. Nocturnal bruxism, in turn, disrupts the natural phases of sleep, making it less deep and contributing to frequent awakenings.

Bite problems affect the positioning of the tongue and lower jaw. If the jaw is shifted backwards, the tongue can block the airway, which causes snoring and apnea episodes, the expert clarified.

"With a distal bite or deep overlap of the front teeth, the lower jaw often occupies the wrong position, which creates an obstacle to normal breathing during sleep," the orthodontist explained.

In addition, bite deformities can be the cause of obstructive apnea, a condition in which the airway is periodically blocked during sleep, causing respiratory arrest, Radko added.

"At the first stage, it is important to perform a comprehensive diagnosis, which includes evaluation of the bite, jaw position and joint function. Modern methods of treatment, such as eliners, allow to correct the bite effectively and comfortably," - specified the specialist.

The human body is a single system, where all elements are interconnected, so the state of the bite directly affects the overall health.

"Timely appeal to the orthodontist allows not only to correct the bite, but also to prevent the development of many complications, such as chronic fatigue, headaches and sleep disorders. This, in turn, helps to maintain health and improve the quality of life in general," summarized Radko.

Earlier, on November 29, 2024, SM-Stomatology orthodontist, Candidate of Medical Sciences Natalia Yurchenko told Izvestia that improper growth of wisdom teeth can lead to serious oral health problems, including tooth misalignment and the development of infection. According to her, one of the most common problems is pain and discomfort.