Many people are surprised to learn that dentists often play an important role in identifying early signs of sleep apnea. While only a medical provider can diagnose sleep apnea, we can spot patterns in your teeth, gums, bite, tongue, and jaw that may suggest you are at higher risk. As part of our commitment to comprehensive dental care in Urbandale, we look beyond the surface to understand how your oral health may be connected to your sleep and overall wellness.

In this article, we explain the dental signs we look for during your visits, the technology we use to support airway-focused care, and how we collaborate with sleep physicians when a closer look is needed to help you achieve better quality sleep.

What Sleep Apnea Is (And What It Is Not)

Sleep apnea is a medical condition in which breathing repeatedly stops or becomes shallow during sleep. These pauses can reduce oxygen levels and prevent the body from getting deep, restorative rest. Even though snoring is one of the most common symptoms, sleep apnea can affect people who don’t snore at all.

Common symptoms include:

  • Loud snoring or gasping during sleep
  • Waking with a dry mouth or sore throat
  • Morning headaches or jaw soreness
  • Daytime fatigue, irritability, or trouble focusing

It’s important to note that dentists do not diagnose sleep apnea. Diagnosis must come from a medical provider after an appropriate sleep evaluation. Our role is to help identify signs that may warrant further medical testing and to support treatment once a physician confirms the diagnosis.

How Your Dentist Helps Screen for Sleep Apnea

Dentists often see patients more regularly than their primary care physicians, which gives us a unique opportunity to notice changes over time. Because we examine your teeth, soft tissues, and jaw at every visit, we are positioned to spot patterns that may relate to nighttime airway issues.

We share what we see with you in clear, simple terms and partner with medical providers when necessary. This collaborative approach helps patients move from questions to answers with confidence.

Our Whole-Body Approach at Lawson Dentistry

At Lawson Dentistry, our Des Moines sleep apnea dentist Dr. Jessica Lawson follows a philosophy that considers muscles, joints, bite alignment, airway health, and overall wellness. This approach enables us to view the mouth as part of a larger system, providing insight into how sleep, breathing, and oral health are interconnected.

During routine visits, we may ask questions about your sleep quality, snoring, energy levels, and other symptoms. These conversations help us understand the complete picture of your health so we can guide you in the right direction if concerns arise.

Dental and Oral Signs That May Point to Sleep Apnea

Many signs of potential sleep apnea can be observed within the mouth. Seeing one sign alone does not mean you are at risk, but noticing several signs together may prompt a conversation about further evaluation.

Tooth Wear, Cracks, and Nighttime Grinding

Your body may clench or grind your teeth when it struggles to maintain an open airway at night. This tension often leaves a distinct pattern on the teeth that we can see during your exam.

We look for:

  • Flattened or worn-down teeth that don’t match your age
  • Tiny cracks along the edges of teeth
  • Chipped areas or broken dental work
  • Notches near the gumline consistent with clenching

Nighttime grinding, or bruxism, is common, but persistent patterns paired with sleep-related symptoms may indicate a deeper airway issue.

Changes in the Tongue and Soft Tissues

The tongue and soft tissues provide valuable clues about how easily air moves through your throat during sleep. We examine these areas gently and explain what we see in plain language.

Possible indicators include:

  • Scalloped or wavy edges on the tongue
  • A tongue that appears large for the dental arch
  • Redness or dryness in the throat
  • Signs of chronic mouth breathing or dry mouth

These patterns may suggest airway crowding that a medical professional should evaluate through a sleep study.

Jaw Joint, Bite, and Facial Clues

Your jaw position affects the amount of space your airway has when you sleep. As a practice with strong experience in TMJ treatment, we pay close attention to the joints and muscles that support your bite.

We may notice:

  • Narrow arches or a V-shaped dental arch
  • A lower jaw that sits further back than average
  • Jaw clicking, popping, or discomfort
  • Facial changes related to long-term mouth breathing

When these signs occur along with snoring or fatigue, it may be helpful to explore sleep-related breathing concerns.

Signs We May Notice in Children

Children often show different signs of sleep-disordered breathing than adults. Because early treatment can support healthy facial growth and restful sleep, we carefully evaluate our younger patients for airway issues.

Common indicators include:

  • Habitual mouth breathing
  • Snoring or restless sleep
  • Crowded teeth or a narrow upper jaw
  • Daytime irritability or difficulty concentrating

If we see several of these signs, we may recommend talking with your child’s medical provider about a sleep evaluation.

Dental Technology for Better Airway Care

Technology gives us a deeper view of your airway, bite, and jaw function. At Lawson Dentistry, we use a suite of advanced dental technology to support clear communication with patients and collaboration with medical professionals.

This may include:

  • Digital X-rays or CBCT imaging to study jaw joints, sinuses, and airway shape
  • The K7 evaluation system to measure jaw movement and muscle activity
  • Intraoral cameras to document tooth wear and tongue patterns
  • BRAEBON™ at-home sleep-monitoring tools your physician may use in the diagnostic process

These technologies help us understand your dental and airway health more thoroughly so we can guide you toward appropriate care.

What We Do if You’re at Risk for Sleep Apnea

If we see signs that raise concern, we take a thoughtful, supportive approach. Our goal is to help you understand what we see and empower you with the information you need to take the next step.

We may discuss:

  • The patterns we noticed during your exam
  • Your symptoms, such as snoring, fatigue, or morning headaches
  • Whether a medical evaluation may be appropriate
  • Options for at-home sleep testing through a physician

We will never pressure you; our role is to help you make informed decisions about your health.

Our Collaboration With Sleep Physicians

Because a physician must diagnose sleep apnea, we work closely with medical providers when a sleep evaluation is needed. This team-based approach ensures you receive accurate results and comprehensive guidance.

Collaboration may include:

  • Sharing relevant dental findings
  • Supporting your at-home sleep test when appropriate
  • Helping you understand your physician’s recommendations
  • Offering dental sleep medicine options if part of your treatment plan

We believe patients receive better care when dentistry and medicine work hand in hand.

Treatment Options We May Discuss After a Medical Diagnosis

Once a medical provider confirms a diagnosis of sleep apnea, we may become part of your treatment team. Many patients prefer a comfortable CPAP alternative, such as a custom oral appliance, particularly if CPAP has been difficult to tolerate.

Your plan may include:

For patients interested in alternatives to CPAP, we can discuss options that align with our approach to comfortable CPAP alternatives, such as those offered by dental sleep medicine.

When You Should Talk to Us About Possible Sleep Apnea

You do not need to wait for a physician to bring up concerns. If you or a family member experiences persistent symptoms, it’s helpful to start the conversation during your next visit so we can guide you toward the right medical evaluation.

Symptoms worth mentioning include:

  • Snoring or gasping
  • Waking feeling unrefreshed
  • Chronic headaches or jaw pain
  • Daytime sleepiness or trouble concentrating
  • Concerns about a child’s behavior, snoring, or mouth breathing

The sooner we identify potential concerns, the sooner you can take steps toward better sleep and better health.

How Lawson Dentistry Supports Your Long-Term Health

Our commitment to your wellness goes far beyond teeth. At Lawson Dentistry, we use dental exams as an opportunity to support your whole-body health, including your sleep and airway. By combining careful screening, advanced technology, and collaboration with medical providers, we help you move from questions to clarity with confidence.

If you are concerned about possible sleep apnea or recognize any of the signs described here, we encourage you to reach out. We’re here to guide you, support you, and help you take the next step toward restful, healthy sleep.

Schedule Your Sleep Apnea Screening Conversation

If you’ve noticed snoring, grinding, fatigue, or other signs of disrupted sleep, we’re here to help you explore your next steps. Call us at (515) 278-4366 to schedule a visit and talk with our team about dental signs of sleep apnea and how we can support your overall health.