CPAP use and grinding teeth?

[Gymrat76]

Hi all

I've always been blessed with having good teeth (according to all my dentists), but I've already seen two dentists to fill out TWO chipped teeth in the last 4 months. On the last visit, the dentist remarked that my teeth looked pretty worn and suggested that I may be grinding my teeth in my sleep. Now, all these years (2x dental checkup a year) I've never had a dentist say that my teeth look worn, so I think it could have started around the same time I started on CPAP therapy 6 months ago.

I guess that MAYBE I subconsciously try to bite down to avoid mouth leaks when using CPAP, and that may account for the teeth grinding/wearing out of my teeth. Has anybody experienced this as well, and how did you deal with it? The dentist suggested a mouth guard to put on when I sleep to my teeth don't grind on each other, but against the plastic to prevent wearing it out, but I wanted to hear more alternative views. Thanks!

[Hosehead4ever]

I think I've probably been grinding my teeth for a long time, but I am waking up with terrible pain in my front teeth and jaw, I think may be due to clamping my mouth shut in my sleep to prevent leaks.

[robysue]

Long time TMJD sufferer here.

To KatyDidAgain: If the grinding/clenching has resulted in jaw and tooth pain, it really is time to see the dentist about getting a properly made TMJ guard. For most people, a "soft" guard is all they need: It's thin, flexible, and will be molded to fit your teeth. The dentist may also suggest a bite adjustment as well: In a bit adjustment the dentist gently grinds very tiny amounts of enamel off the teeth where the bite is maladjusted and hitting before the rest of the teeth do. This also helps relieve the pressure and grinding at night.

To Gymrat76: Chipped teeth are a concern. And if the grinding is putting stress on those teeth, they could be further damaged in the future. Did this develop because of starting CPAP in your case? I don't know. But certainly learning to sleep with a professionally made night guard is much easier in my opinion than sleeping with a mask. For most people, the night guard will last for years, and many dental insurance now cover them and allow a replacement every five or six years (I think). Many people I know have never needed to replace their night guard even after really extended periods of time. (I'm unfortunately an outlier and regularly bite through the soft ones in about 12--18 months.) Don't quite know why you're looking for alternatives to the night guard.

To both of you: Many people do find the OTC Boil-N-Bite versions of the mouth guard provide adequate relief from teeth grinding at night and they are (substantially) cheaper. They are also somewhat thicker and hence may be less comfortable to sleep with. Me? I've never tried an OTC version since my TMJD is pretty severe and I really need a "hard" guard instead of a flexible one. But if $$ are tight and you're not sure about getting a professionally made night guard, the OTC Boil-N-Bite ones might well be worth trying.

And for what it's worth---in December or January my hard night guard that I'd had for about 3 years did break (stress fracture---possibly because I was grinding even harder and possibly just due to wear and tear since I'm really, really hard on night guards). Had to wait for a couple of months to get an appointment at the dentist because of miscommunication. During the time I was sleeping without my guard, it felt like I was starting to get some teeth movement (due to CPAP pressure against the teeth?) at night. Since getting the new night guard, my teeth are clearly staying put again. I personally think the night guard is doing double duty in my mouth acting as a retainer rather like the ones I wore after getting my braces off back in '76.

[Gymrat76]

Thanks guys for the helpful information. I have an appointment with the sleep doc in about 3 weeks so will speak to him and see what he recommends. I'm leaning towards getting the bite-guard, but my dentist says it will be expensive.

[robysue]

My brand new night guard from the dentist ran about $300. They're filing an insurance claim and we're both hoping my dental will cover some of the expense. If this were my *first* night guard, it would be covered---I think at about 80%, but I'm not sure. However, my dental insurance will only cover one every so many years and I bite through them long before I'm supposed to.