Roughly 90 million Americans snore. If you’re one of them, you might be experiencing some oral health issues that you didn’t expect.

Snoring leads to mouth breathing, which can cause saliva to dry up more than normal as you sleep. This can cause dry mouth, which means:

• Worse morning breath
• An increased likelihood of tooth decay and gum disease.

Why? Turns out your saliva is pretty important to your oral health. It washes away bacteria and leftover food particles before their acids damage your teeth. Saliva also provides vital minerals to your teeth’s surface.

To keep dry mouth from harming your smile, keep an eye on your oral health and maintain regular dental visits. Some at-home remedies include sleeping with a humidifier nearby, avoiding caffeine and alcohol, and keeping a glass of water by your bed to stay hydrated throughout the night. Be sure to talk to your dentist, who will also be able to provide additional treatment options.

Be sure to keep your oral health in check – and hopefully sleep a bit easier.