Tongue Thrusting?

I've had my machine about 10 days now, and I've found that when I awaken in the morning (totally refreshed and ready to go!) my lower front teeth are a little sore, and I have trouble closing my jaw completely. Almost like I've been pushing on them with my tongue while I've slept.

I know that tongue thrusting is a common nervous problem some people have while they sleep; I've never had that before. I wonder whether maybe the (11 cm) pressure from my nasal pillow mask is forcing my tongue against my lower teeth while I sleep.

Has anyone encountered that before?

I think that the air pressure from CPAP actually pushes your jaw forward just a few milimeters so that your bite doesn't line up, and I had the same soreness at first, plus a little bit of TMJ tenderness. It finally cleared up, but if it hadn't I was going to see if my dentist had anything to recommend.

Slartybartfast wrote:I've had my machine about 10 days now, and I've found that when I awaken in the morning (totally refreshed and ready to go!) my lower front teeth are a little sore, and I have trouble closing my jaw completely. Almost like I've been pushing on them with my tongue while I've slept.

I know that tongue thrusting is a common nervous problem some people have while they sleep; I've never had that before. I wonder whether maybe the (11 cm) pressure from my nasal pillow mask is forcing my tongue against my lower teeth while I sleep.

Has anyone encountered that before?

Been on CPAP a couple of days more than you, and having the same issues, 'cept it's my upper fronts. Eating is a bit weird 'cause my teeth aren't lining up the same. I have my six month dental cleaning tomorrow so I'm sure the hygenist will have something to say about it.

Thanks. I recall hearing from someone that the jaws are supposed to be open only a few millimeters during sleep. I, too, have found that my jaw gets thrust way forward during sleep. I thought it might be my un- or semi-conciously trying to compensate for slight leaks around the nasal pillows, but I wonder if it's something else.

Bons wrote:

Slartybartfast wrote:I've had my machine about 10 days now, and I've found that when I awaken in the morning (totally refreshed and ready to go!) my lower front teeth are a little sore, and I have trouble closing my jaw completely. Almost like I've been pushing on them with my tongue while I've slept.

I know that tongue thrusting is a common nervous problem some people have while they sleep; I've never had that before. I wonder whether maybe the (11 cm) pressure from my nasal pillow mask is forcing my tongue against my lower teeth while I sleep.

Has anyone encountered that before?

Been on CPAP a couple of days more than you, and having the same issues, 'cept it's my upper fronts. Eating is a bit weird 'cause my teeth aren't lining up the same. I have my six month dental cleaning tomorrow so I'm sure the hygenist will have something to say about it.

Bons, you out there? What did you find out? I just got back from several days traveling and each day when I woke up my upper and lower front teeth were almost aligned. Felt like a gopher, if you know what I mean. By dinnertime my teeth are back where my hardworking parents paid lots of money they really didn't have to $traighten them, however next morning they're out again. And every day, it seems to get a little worse.

I looked at a sports-type mouth guard, but they looked very bulky, not something that would be comfortable enough to sleep in. I DO have one of those Pur-Sleep appliances I bought online (required a prescription) intended to control jaw position (which it did) and eliminate snoring (which it didn't). I reset it (boil and bite) to hold my teeth in place, but I keep having to fight gag reflex.

Don't have my 6 month appointment until December, so I'm hoping to learn something from you and not perturb my tooth-doc. I'm sort of reluctant to talk with my dentist about it, 'cause I would bet money he will recommend some expensive dental appliance that my insurance likely won't cover.

Twisting in the wind here . . .

My teeth stopped moving around after about three weeks. I think that I finally got used to the mask. The hygenist said that it is something that happens. Sorry I forgot to get back to you.

My dentist said that people who use positioning devics for treating mild and moderate apnea are prone to TMJ problems. He said there are some exercises that you're supposed to do in the morning after removing the device to realign the jaw for normal activity. You might want to ask your dentist about those exercises, as they may help, even if you aren't actually using a positioning devic.

My dentist makes devices for people with mild to moderate apnea but he said that he wouldn't even consider it for me because my apnea is too severe to be helped by such a device--I'd still need CPAP no matter what. He makes a lot of money off these devices, so I appreciate his being candid with me abou it. He's a keeper