Dry Mouth & Disordered Sleep: The Overlooked Oral-Systemic Link in Periodontal Care

Sleep-disordered breathing is a serious and often undiagnosed condition that can lead to cardiovascular disease, cognitive decline, mood disorders, and early mortality. Dental providers are frequently the first to notice the signs.

Bruxism, erosion, dry mouth, and restoration failure are all indicators that disrupted sleep may be affecting a patient’s health. These signs often present long before a formal diagnosis is made.

This course will help providers recognize the impact of disordered sleep on oral and systemic health. It will also cover the role of xerostomia in sleep-related conditions and how dry mouth can interfere with patient compliance, especially with CPAP and oral appliance therapy.

Attendees will leave with a practical screening protocol and a better understanding of how to intervene at the chair to support early identification, patient comfort, and long-term success.