Sleep apnea, snoring, and teeth grinding are all interconnected. Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a condition that robs you of quality sleep and is often associated with frequent, loud snoring. OSA can lead to teeth grinding (bruxism), as the body tries to open the airway.
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Sleep apnea, snoring, and teeth grinding are all interconnected. Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a condition that robs you of quality sleep and is often associated with frequent, loud snoring. OSA can lead to teeth grinding (bruxism), as the body tries to open the airway. Teeth grinding is problematic because it can wear down and weaken tooth enamel, leaving your teeth vulnerable to breaking and cracking. If you grind your teeth at night, it can potentially worsen or trigger OSA events as well.
Obstructive Sleep Apnea & Bruxism
OSA involves interruptions in breathing during sleep because your airway is blocked. As your body struggles to breathe, your jaw muscles may activate, leading to teeth grinding as a subconscious attempt to open the airway. Alternatively, clenching and grinding may be a response to airway obstruction.
Effects of Teeth Grinding & Sleep Apnea
Chronic teeth grinding can lead to dental problems, including worn-down tooth enamel, fractured teeth, and jaw pain. It can also lead to headaches, neck pain, and discomfort in the temporomandibular joint (TMJ).
Sleep Apnea can cause chronic tiredness, difficulty concentrating, mood swings, headaches, and irritability, and can increase your risk of chronic health problems, including diabetes, obesity, and coronary disease.
Treating Sleep Apnea & Teeth Grinding
Addressing OSA and teeth grinding is important. We can discuss treatment options, including an oral appliance, which helps keep the airway open during sleep and protects teeth from grinding.
We will also recommend certain lifestyle changes, such as establishing a regular sleep schedule, managing stress, and avoiding alcohol and caffeine before bed, to improve sleep quality and reduce grinding. In many cases, treating your sleep apnea can also reduce or eliminate teeth grinding.
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