The Dentist’s Chair as a Window: Perspectives on Sleep, Breathing, and Health

Science and Soul in ConversationsGuest Tides and Currents
Written By Selda Yildiz

As mentioned in our previous post, and in light of the synchronicities unfolding, this piece will explore the connections between sleep, breathing, and dental health – with insights from Dr. Joanne Ingleby.  

With more than 35 years of experience in dentistry, including nearly two decades dedicated to dental sleep medicine, Dr. Ingleby is currently completing a Master’s degree in Sleep Medicine at the University of Oxford. Drawing on her clinical practice and academic study, she shares how snoring, sleep, and oral health are far more connected than many of us realize.

Insights from Dr. Joanne Ingleby on the hidden connections between dentistry, sleep, and overall health and well-being:

Snoring, Sleep & Dental Health: More Than Just a Nighttime Nuisance

Snoring might feel normal, but “normal” doesn’t always mean “healthy.” Sleep-disordered breathing spans a spectrum: from occasional snoring (like when your nose is blocked) to full-blown obstructive sleep apnea (spelled as “apnoea” in the UK and Europe; OSA).

In its milder form, it involves intermittent narrowing of the upper airway, where airflow is reduced due to partial collapse. More serious cases involve repeated obstructions, drops in oxygen levels, and fragmented sleep. These disruptions don’t just make for a restless night. They impair daytime functioning and raise long-term health risks. Research links untreated OSA to high blood pressure, atrial fibrillation, stroke, diabetes, congestive heart failure, cognitive dysfunction, insomnia and mood disorders  (Mohammadieh et al., 2024).

The Hidden Burden of Sleep Apnea

OSA is more common than many realize –affecting an estimated 10% of adults under 60, or up to 425 million people globally – yet around 80–85% of moderate to severe cases go undiagnosed (Benjafield et al., 2019; Iannella et al., 2025).

Men are about twice as likely to develop OSA compared with women, though after menopause women’s risk rises to be closer to men’s. Symptoms can differ subtly between genders, making it even easier to overlook without proper screening (Young et al., 1996; Lin et al., 2008; Stack AB., 2022).

The consequences go far beyond poor sleep. People may attribute fatigue, headaches, jaw discomfort, or brain fog to stress, ageing, menopause, or hormonal change, not realizing that broken sleep or dips in oxygen may be the deeper cause. Loud snoring can also strain relationships, sometimes prompting couples to sleep apart. On a broader scale, undiagnosed OSA drives up accident risk, contributes to chronic disease, and inflates healthcare costs and lost productivity (Huang et al., 2023; Mohammadieh et al., 2024; Iannella et al., 2025).

The Hidden Role of Dentists in Sleep Health

Dentists have a unique vantage point for spotting early warning signs of airway trouble. During routine exams, they might notice:

·       Teeth grinding or repeated loss of fillings

·       Narrow jaw arches or crowded teeth

·       Jaw tension, dry mouth, or night-time mouth breathing

These oral clues are not just dental concerns, they may be linked to systemic conditions like diabetes, cardiovascular disease, atrial fibrillation, and stroke (Mohammadieh et al., 2024).

Beyond these clues, dentists also assess the airway itself. The shape of the arches, the crowding at the back of the mouth, and the amount of soft tissue at the back of the throat can all influence airway space, factors that may increase the risk of snoring or obstructive sleep apnea.

Increasingly, saliva is also becoming a valuable tool in preventive care. Certain salivary biomarkers, including cytokines (IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, TNF-α), matrix metalloproteinases, and acute-phase proteins like CRP – reflect both oral inflammation and systemic health conditions such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, autoimmune disorders, and some cancers. Because saliva can be collected non-invasively, these biomarkers are emerging as important for early screening and detection of broader health issues in routine dental assessments (Diesch et al., 2021; Avelar et al., 2025; Arbilda-Vega et al., 2025).

In other words, a dental visit can serve as far more than a check on oral health; it may also provide early insights into the broader state of overall health.

How Sleep-Disordered Breathing and OSA Can Be Managed

Addressing sleep-disordered breathing usually involves a multimodal approach, combining strategies such as:

·       CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure) therapy

·       Custom oral appliances fitted by dental professionals

·       Breathing exercises and improving nasal airflow

·       Weight management and positional therapy

·       Behavioral interventions like better sleep hygiene, cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia, or treatment for restless leg syndrome (Aboussouan et al., 2023).

Together, these options can significantly improve oxygen flow, enhance sleep quality, reduce daytime symptoms, and support long-term wellbeing.

A Personal Note

After years of practice in dental sleep medicine, I saw how oral and systemic health are deeply interconnected. That inspired me to formally study sleep medicine, bridging dentistry, psychology, and medical science. My aim is to ensure more people benefit from early assessment, accurate diagnosis, and tailored treatment –supporting both immediate health and the prevention of future risks, while noting the importance of regular dental visits for integrated, preventive healthcare.

Back to Zelda & Amea:

Turning into Real-Life: What Does This Mean?

  • Snoring and disrupted sleep are common, but common does not mean healthy. They can carry meanings beyond what many of us assume.

  •  Sleep, breathing, oral health, and overall well-being are deeply interwoven in – sometimes in ways we may overlook. Recognizing these connections can open space for better questions, deeper awareness, and more holistic conversations about health.

  • Even small everyday experiences, like waking up tired, noticing a dry mouth, or sharing a room with a heavy snorer, can be gentle reminders of how interconnected our bodies truly are.

  • And a routine dental exam may be doing far more than checking for cavities. The dentist’s chair, often thought of as boring, uncomfortable, or even a little intimidating and painful, can sometimes reveal more than we expect, offering subtle signs that reach beyond oral health. Perhaps that familiar (and sometimes expensive 😅😬) chair isn’t just a place of drills and mirrors, but a quiet reminder that every part of us is connected, and that even the smallest signs can open a doorway into the larger story of our health and well-being.

  • We’ll continue reflecting on dental health and its relationship to overall health and well-being in future conversations. Looking back, Zelda can’t help but wonder whether the cascade of health challenges that followed her wisdom teeth removal held more meaning than she once thought, perhaps another reminder that the mouth, body, and mind are never truly separate.

🌿 Synchronicity and What Comes Next

As synchronicities unfold and both new and familiar connections emerge, we’ll continue exploring how breathing, sleep, and hidden rhythms of the body shape health and well-being while also exploring other dimensions of well-being. At times, these journeys will be joined by surprise voices and perspectives – what we now call Guest Tides and Currents – expanding the conversation in ways both expected and unexpected, yet always meaningful.

🌊 Our Closing Invitation

✨ Are there any well-being areas you would like us to explore?

✨ Do you have stories or insights you’d like to share?

Drop your reflections in the comments on LinkedIn or Instagram, and we’ll weave your voices into the unfolding conversations.

– With care, Zelda & Amea 🌊

Dr. Joanne Ingleby links :

References:

✨ Disclaimer: This post is for general educational purposes only. It is not medical advice, nor a substitute for professional consultation, diagnosis, or treatment. If you have concerns about your health, please seek guidance from a qualified healthcare professional.

Our Guest Tides and Currents bring fresh perspectives – not endorsements or promotions, but explorations and invitations to dialogue in support of sustainable well-being.

Selda Yildiz
Next

Breath and Sleep: The Two Rhythms of Being