My Orthodontist Asked About My Sleep: What's the Connection Between Straight Teeth and Snoring?

When most people think about orthodontic treatment, they picture straighter teeth and a more confident smile. If your orthodontist recently asked about your sleep habits, you might be wondering: what does that have to do with braces or aligners? The truth is there’s an important connection between how your teeth and jaws are aligned and how well you breathe at night.

Why your orthodontist cares about your sleep

Orthodontists don’t just look at teeth; they also check your bite, jaw structure, and airway. Sometimes snoring or restless sleep can be linked to how the teeth and jaws fit together. Research has shown children and teens who seek orthodontic care are more likely to show signs of sleep-disordered breathing (SDB).

One study found 10.8% of orthodontic patients aged 5–16 were at high risk for SDB, with 13.3% habitually snoring and 17.9% reporting daytime sleepiness (Abtahi et al., 2020).

How teeth and jaws affect snoring

Snoring happens when airflow is partially blocked during sleep, causing tissues in the airway to vibrate. Several dental and orthodontic factors can contribute:

• Narrow arches or crowded teeth: these can reduce airway space.
• Jaw position: a retruded (set-back) lower jaw can push the tongue back, narrowing the throat.
• Bite alignment: certain malocclusions are linked to higher risks of SDB.

For example, in children aged 7–8, SDB screening was positive in 33.3%. Dental features such as posterior crossbite (2.89× higher risk), anterior open bite (2.03× higher risk), and increased overjet (1.93× higher risk) were strongly associated with breathing problems during sleep (Lyra et al., 2020).

Other studies show similar links. In one sample, children with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) had a malocclusion prevalence of 89.9%, compared to 60.6% in children without OSA (Galeotti et al., 2018).

Orthodontics and better breathing

Modern orthodontic care is about more than appearance. Braces, clear aligners, and certain appliances can guide teeth and jaws into positions that may improve airflow. For children and teens, early treatment can sometimes help airway development and lower the risk of future snoring or sleep apnea.

Even in young adults, dental structure has been linked to snoring. A study of adults aged 18–45 found 16.28% reported habitual snoring. Snorers were more likely to have narrower upper arches and V-shaped palates (Al-Madani et al., 2015).

When to talk about snoring with your dental team

If you or your child snores regularly, wakes up tired, or has restless sleep, mention it to your orthodontist or dentist. Orthodontic treatment alone may not solve the problem, but it can be an important part of a broader plan to improve sleep and breathing.

The bigger picture: health and confidence

A straighter smile can boost confidence, but the benefits often go beyond looks. For some people, orthodontic care may contribute to better breathing, less snoring, and improved overall wellness.