Orthodontic treatment is commonly associated with achieving aesthetics with a straighter smile and improving the patients bite and function. However, patients sometimes ask if orthodontics can also resolve issues such as snoring and/or teeth grinding (bruxism). Although there is no guarantee that orthodontic treatment will resolve grinding and/or snoring, aligning the teeth and correcting your bite could have an impact on these behaviours.
Snoring and Orthodontics
Snoring occurs when air passing through the airway is disturbed and the airflow becomes turbulent, this causes vibrations as the air moves in and out. The way your airway functions can be affected by the position of your tongue and jaws. If your jaw or bite is not in an ideal position, it may make it more difficult for air to pass through your airway while you are sleeping, leading to snoring. Lower jaw problems may also affect the position of your tongue and how it sits in your airway.
Orthodontic treatment can correct bite issues and jaw alignment. When the teeth and bite are in an ideal position it may improve the size of your airway and the way the air flows, potentially decreasing or eliminating snoring. However, it is important to note that snoring may be caused by multiple factors, such as nasal congestion, large tonsils, and adenoids, a larger than average sized tongue or obesity. Therefor orthodontics in isolation may not resolve the issue, and a comprehensive evaluation by your healthcare provider may be needed.
With any airway or breathing problems, an Ear, Nose and Throat specialist is always the first port of call to rule out any of the above-mentioned problems that are not related to the teeth or jaws
Teeth Grinding (Bruxism) and Orthodontics
Teeth grinding (bruxism), can be caused by an abnormal bite, stress, or misaligned teeth. When teeth don’t fit together in an ideal position, your body may subconsciously grind or clench them to compensate for the misalignment, this leads to uneven wearing of the enamel, to worn-down teeth, jaw and muscle pain, and headaches.
By aligning the teeth and jaws into an ideal position, orthodontics can reduce the risk of grinding and uneven or excessive long-term wear of your teeth. However, if your bruxism is stress-related or personality related, orthodontic treatment alone may not eliminate the habit. It is important to understand that stress management techniques, the use of a night-time grinding splint or physiotherapy may still be necessary.
The Bottom Line
While orthodontic treatment may help with both snoring and teeth grinding, it is not a guaranteed solution as there are different factors to consider for each individual. For patients with jaw misalignment or bite issues, orthodontics may reduce snoring and/or bruxism symptoms. However, if these issues are due to other factors like nasal problems or stress, additional treatments may be required.
If you are experiencing either snoring or teeth grinding, book an appointment for a consultation and Dr Foot can complete an assessment and determine if orthodontic treatment is the right solution or if other interventions and referral is needed to address the issue effectively.