Why Sleep Apnea Increases Your Risk of Gum Disease

It’s well known that people who suffer from sleep apnea not only have to deal with feeling tired all the time, but the disorder is also closely associated with an increased risk of serious problems like cardiovascular issues, diabetes complications, and dementia. Now, according to a study recently published in Sleep, the official scientific journal of the Sleep Research Society, gum disease can be added to that list. How are these two conditions connected, and what should someone with sleep apnea do in order to protect their oral health?