Can Dentists Help Improve Your Sleep?

Short answer is YES!

When most people think of a dentist, they picture cleanings, fillings, or straighter teeth. But dentistry extends far beyond oral health alone. Increasingly, dentists are helping patients improve something just as important: the ability to get a good night’s sleep. Poor sleep is often linked to issues such as teeth grinding, jaw misalignment, and airway obstruction—all of which a dentist can help diagnose and treat.

In this article, we’ll explore how dental care and sleep health are connected, the devices and treatments available, and why a visit to the dentist could make the difference between restless nights and refreshing sleep.

The Connection Between Oral Health and Sleep

The relationship between oral health and sleep may not be obvious, but the two are closely tied. Your mouth, jaw, and airway play a direct role in how you breathe and rest at night.

• Teeth Grinding (Bruxism): Constant grinding or clenching during sleep can cause tooth damage, jaw pain, and morning headaches.
• Temporomandibular Joint Disorders (TMJ/TMD): TMJ issues can cause muscle strain and affect sleep quality.
• Airway Obstruction: Narrowed or blocked airways may lead to sleep-disordered breathing or sleep apnea, conditions that prevent restful, restorative sleep.

When left untreated, these problems can result in fatigue, difficulty concentrating, and even long-term health risks.

Night Guards: Protecting Teeth and Promoting Restful Sleep

One of the most common dental solutions for better sleep is the night guard.

• What it is: A thin piece of durable, custom-molded plastic worn over the teeth at night.
• How it works: It provides a protective barrier that reduces the damaging effects of grinding or clenching while also relaxing the jaw muscles.
• Benefits:
  – Prevents tooth wear and damage
  – Reduces jaw strain and tension
  – Helps decrease morning headaches
  – Promotes deeper, more comfortable sleep

While store-bought guards are available, they don’t provide the same level of protection and comfort as custom-made devices created from dental impressions.

Dental Devices for Headaches and Migraines

Some patients experience frequent headaches or migraines tied to clenching and grinding. For them, dentists may recommend a more specialized device: the FDA-approved NTI Tension Suppression System (NTI).

• How it works: Unlike a standard night guard, the NTI device is designed to prevent the jaw muscles from engaging in full clenching, reducing the intensity of muscle contractions.
• Effectiveness: In a multi-center trial, 82% of participants experienced a 77% reduction in migraines within just eight weeks of using the NTI device.
• Benefits:
  – Drug-free solution
  – No surgery required
  – Minimal to no side effects

This device can transform the lives of patients who struggle with migraines, providing relief and restoring quality sleep.

Airway Dentistry and Sleep Quality

In recent years, a new field has emerged: airway dentistry. This area of dental care focuses on the structure and function of the jaws, teeth, and airway to ensure patients can breathe properly during sleep.

• Treatments include:
  – Orthodontics for jaw expansion to open up the airway.
  – Myofunctional therapy to strengthen the tongue and orofacial muscles.
  – Custom appliances that reposition the jaw to keep the airway open.

In many cases, dentists can identify sleep-disordered breathing symptoms early and may collaborate with physicians or sleep specialists to confirm conditions such as sleep apnea through a sleep study.

The Bigger Picture: Whole-Body Benefits of Better Sleep

Improving sleep through dental treatment isn’t just about eliminating grinding or headaches—it has far-reaching effects on overall health.

• Reduced risk of chronic disease: Poor sleep has been linked to diabetes, heart disease, and high blood pressure.
• Improved energy and focus: Restorative sleep sharpens memory and concentration.
• Better mood and mental health: Quality sleep is essential for emotional balance and resilience.
• Oral health preservation: Protecting teeth from grinding prevents costly dental repairs down the road.

When dentists help patients sleep better, they’re also helping them live healthier lives.

What to Expect at a Sleep-Focused Dental Visit

If you suspect that your sleep struggles are connected to oral health, a sleep-focused dental evaluation is the first step.

Here’s what you can expect:

1. Comprehensive exam: Your dentist will look for signs of grinding, tooth wear, jaw misalignment, or airway restriction.
2. Discussion of symptoms: You’ll be asked about morning headaches, jaw soreness, daytime fatigue, or snoring.
3. Diagnostic tools: Impressions, bite analysis, and sometimes digital imaging may be used to design a custom treatment plan.
4. Treatment options: Based on findings, you may receive a night guard, an NTI device, or a referral for airway therapy or a sleep study.

Conclusion

Sleep is one of the cornerstones of good health, yet millions of people live with restless nights caused by dental-related issues. From protecting your teeth with night guards to reducing migraines with specialized devices and improving breathing through airway dentistry, dentists play a vital role in helping patients achieve deeper, more restorative rest.

If you’ve noticed headaches, jaw pain, or constant fatigue upon waking, don’t ignore it. Relief may be just a dental visit away.

Schedule a consultation with Designing Smiles today and take the first step toward healthier sleep and a healthier life.

References

American Dental Association – Bruxism & Oral Health: https://www.ada.org/resources/research/science-and-research-institute/oral-health-topics/bruxism

National Sleep Foundation – Sleep & Oral Health: https://www.thensf.org/

U.S. Food & Drug Administration – NTI Tension Suppression System Approval: https://www.fda.gov/medical-devices/cleared-or-approved-products/nti-tension-suppression-system

Mayo Clinic – TMJ Disorders: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/tmj/symptoms-causes/syc-20350941

Dr. Deborah Fung

Dr. Deborah Fung earned her dental degree with honors in 1992 from the University of Minnesota School of Dentistry. In addition to serving as a dental officer in the Minnesota Army National Guard for 12 years, she has also continued her education in many areas of dentistry, including orthodontics, endodontics (root canal therapy), implants, cosmetic dentistry, and oral surgery.