Teeth chipping off and sleep apnea

[Guest1]

1) Start flossing religiously once a day.
2) brush with a toothpaste with fluoride in the night.
3) Give up candy and soda pop.
4) Go to a dentist for cleaning every 6 months.
I didn't do any of these things at 38. I have a couple of chips. I started doing all 3 about 4 months ago. It has made a huge difference.

Also, stop the mouth breathing. Use nasal pillows with or without chinstrap.

[Gasper62]

Switch to Gummi Bears.........

[Guest]

I would consider a mouth guard and give up candy

[DAT-DDS]

Dragon672; Iim new here, so I hadn't seen your previous posts. I want to be helpful, so I won't sugar coat your tooth problems. (bad pun)Sorry. Anyway, soda pop, hard, candies many fillings, are almost a guarantee of future problems, Stop drinking all carbinated beverages, as the are acidic, and dissolve calcium out of the tooth surface, weakening it. Stop the hard candy, and regular sugars. There are good-tasting candies that are sweetened with Xylitol, (a natural, very complex, sugar that does Not promote decay), that are soft. Your tooth sensitivity to cold, or sweets, may be due, in part, to enamel breakdown at the gum-line, on the cheek side. That is a pattern that is common to both acid erosion,(sodas), and bruxing, (clenching and or grinding your teeth). Bruxing is common in people who have obstructive sleep apnea. There is plenty of data in the research to show the connection. When you had your sleep test, the tech. probably put a lead on your chin or the side of your jaw, to record buxing. Clenching and grinding can hasten your tooth break-down. An oral appliance is the solution to stop your bruxing. I hope this helps.

[chunkyfrog]

Of course, you do not want to overdo the Xylitol.
As good as it is for your teeth, it's bad for your tummy, and your toilet.
It contributes to diarrhea and gas.

[Logies101]

It sounds like you are noticing the teeth chipping off at NIGHT, not during the day. So I would highly suspect teeth clenching and grinding to be the culprit. The force exerted is extremely strong on teeth. A nighttime mouthguard made by a dentist would protect your teeth.

[dragon672]

I had a home sleep test so I didn't have anything attached to my jaw; just my forehead and my nose. I do think that I'm clenching my jaw though. I actually couldn't get in today but tomorrow I'll ask the dentist if she thinks I'm grinding my teeth.

[dragon672]

Update: I am grinding my teeth. The dentist is going to send through my insurance to see if they will approve a mouthguard thingy for night. I have a small mouth so I hope this works. I have no idea if they will. It's Humana Dental Rider insurance.

[Player]

There are a number of off the shelf grinding guards available for $10-$30 so you can get some immediate relief while you are waiting for your good one.

[dragon672]

I actually had an upper mouth guard that I had for when I attempted to take karate about 8 years ago. I washed it up last night and wore it. I guess it'll work.

[ChicagoGranny]

I attempted to take karate