Teeth Problems

Before I used my machine I had perfect teeth. I found out that the use of the machine and the air pressure can ruin your teeth. I now have 2 broken teeth and 2 cavities that need filled. Does anyone else have problems now due to their machine?

jessicalysne6 wrote: ↑

Mon Dec 25, 2023 10:25 pm

Before I used my machine I had perfect teeth. I found out that the use of the machine and the air pressure can ruin your teeth. I now have 2 broken teeth and 2 cavities that need filled. Does anyone else have problems now due to their machine?

You found out that the use of a cpap machine can ruin your teeth? I'd love to see data that suggests that the use of a cpap can ruin your teeth, care to share?

How long have you been using a cpap?

Broken teeth and cavities are certainly NOT caused by a cpap machine, no way no how. How would it?

Do you grind your teeth at night? Bruxism it's called and I have it myself. I cracked 4 teeth and have 4 implants as a result and I use a nighttime occlusal device, aka night guard.

jessicalysne6 wrote: ↑

Mon Dec 25, 2023 10:25 pm

I now have 2 broken teeth and 2 cavities that need filled. Does anyone else have problems now due to their machine?

no.

Despite others responding here with knee-jerk reactions, if you are breathing through your mouth while using CPAP, a dry mouth can definitely cause tooth decay. https://www.ada.org/en/resources/resear ... xerostomia

The problem isn't CPAP (which is saving your life!) but how you are using CPAP. Most likely you are mouth breathing and THAT's the problem, not CPAP. It would help if you fill in your details so we could know if you are using a FF mask or a nasal mask. Then we might be able to help you tackle the mouth breathing so you don't get more dental issues.

In general, the way to stop mouth breathing is to seal off the mouth from the rest of the airway while using CPAP. That involves putting your tongue on the roof of your mouth and holding it there--that allows the back of the tongue to seal off the mouth from the air blowing into your nose. It's not as hard as it sounds.

I thought I was a dedicated mouth breather, but I trained myself to keep my tongue in that position by practicing every minute I was awake unless I was talking or eating. After a few days it became a habit that carried over into the nighttime. Things to support your jaw closed like a soft cervical collar or mouth taping can keep your jaw from falling open and pulling the tongue down during sleep. If you are in a FF mask because of mouth breathing, consider a nasal mask, nasal pillows, or nasal cradle mask that will tend to wake you (or your bed partner will) if you are mouth breathing.

If you have nasal congestion, play around with your humidity. Too much humidity can be as big a contributor to nasal congestion as too little. And if you need to irrigate your nose to clear it out before using CPAP, then do that (avoid things that will dry out your mucosa like decongestants, because they dry your mouth, too.)

Talk to your dentist about other options, like a mouth guard, artificial saliva, etc. But stopping CPAP is going to lead to worse health problems, that's not an option.

Broken teeth and cavities are certainly NOT caused by a cpap machine, no way no how. How would it?

It's possible that a CPAP machine could promote cavities by giving someone a dry mouth. Saliva helps combat bacterial buildup. However, snoring also gives people dry mouth and most people with untreated sleep apnea snore. I had dry mouth at night before using CPAP and I have dry mouth after. Haven't noticed much difference in that area--perhaps a modest decrease in the amount of times I experience really bad dry mouth.

Edited to add: the OP doesn't mention how soon after using CPAP these problems cropped up. In the case of cavities, it takes some time for them to develop. So if the cavities seemed to appear within a few months of using CPAP, it is likely that the cavities were in the process of development before CPAP use.

Janknitz wrote: ↑

Tue Dec 26, 2023 2:01 pm

Despite others responding here with knee-jerk reactions,

???? i answered his direct question. only ONE person so far has had a "knee-jerk" reaction.

jessicalysne6 wrote: ↑

Mon Dec 25, 2023 10:25 pm

I now have 2 broken teeth and 2 cavities that need filled.

Untreated obstructive sleep apnea can cause severe bruxism. Some people's teeth get worn down and thin from bruxism because it is common to go for years before seeking CPAP treatment. After starting effective CPAP treatment, the bruxism will stop.

Of course, worn, thin teeth can break easily and get cavities more easily.

Then there is mouth-breathing with CPAP or without. This can lead to dry mouth which causes poor oral health and can cause cavities.

Please give us some details about your CPAP therapy. We would like to help you make sure it is treating your apnea effectively. If you are having dry mouth, we can also help you with that.