Clenching Teeth with Dreamwear

[stevea520]

I have been using a ResMed AirFitF30i (mask + nasal pillow) but found it difficult to sleep on side or belly without leaking. As I know that I often have my mouth open while sleeping, I held off on dreamwear since I thought I would be blasting air out my open mouth all night. I ended up trying it anyway because I had been sore from the resmed, consciously or unconsciously sleeping on my back all night. Surprisingly, my leak and event numbers were slightly better on dreamwear with much better leak statistics even though I have been sleeping in any position I want. Anyhow, my teeth hurt in the morning with dreamwear because it feels as though I am clenching my mouth closed all night though my jaw muscles don't hurt. Is this common? I don't want to switch back to the ResMed and don't really want to add a bite guard to this routine either. Any advice?

[Janknitz]

Try consciously practicing the position with your tongue on the roof of your mouth just behind your front teeth and space between your upper and lower teeth. The only time you should not be in this position is if you are talking or eating. This MAY help you carry it over into your sleep. Otherwise, a bite guard is the only thing I can think of. You can find inexpensive "boil and bite" ones at places like CVS.

[readingteacher]

I have a severe TMJ (jaw joint) condition, and was told by my doctors that I could not use a full face mask due to pressure on my jaw. I use mouth tape with my nasal pillow to keep my mouth closed and prevent mouth leaks. I have found that my jaw is actually able to relax against the mouth tape, and I clench my jaw less with the tape!

I started with X-shaped mouth tape from Amazon, which worked well for me for the first several months. As I got more used to CPAP, I relaxed more and so did my mouth, and the X tape no longer prevented leaks well enough. I switched to Somnifix tape, which covers more of the mouth, and have been using that with great success ever since.

People use many different kinds of tape for mouth taping. There are lots of informative posts about mouth tape on this forum.

[stevea520]

Try consciously practicing the position with your tongue on the roof of your mouth just behind your front teeth and space between your upper and lower teeth.

I think that is good advice. I have had the machine for about 8 weeks, 6 weeks with resimed mask and 2 weeks with dreamwear. I have also been thinking about trying a custom snore/sleep mouth appliance in lieu of the machine but I haven't had any issues using the machine for 7-8 hours a night so thought I would stay with it. I was kind of surprised because of all the horror stories I've heard about adjusting. All I really wanted was to stop snoring but after a sleep study the machine was recommended and I'm down to about 2 events per hour vs 17 from the sleep study. I don't feel any difference in energy or fatigue but I guess that's a another thread for another day.

[stevea520]

People use many different kinds of tape for mouth taping. There are lots of informative posts about mouth tape on this forum.

I tried X mouth tape from Amazon before getting the machine and it didn't bother me very much. You think it could help with the jaw clenching? With the machine on and full mask or just nasal pillow it's so hard to breath through the mouth that I might as well just forget about using the mouth at night anyway

[Janknitz]

I think that is good advice. I have had the machine for about 8 weeks, 6 weeks with resimed mask and 2 weeks with dreamwear. I have also been thinking about trying a custom snore/sleep mouth appliance in lieu of the machine but I haven't had any issues using the machine for 7-8 hours a night so thought I would stay with it. I was kind of surprised because of all the horror stories I've heard about adjusting. All I really wanted was to stop snoring but after a sleep study the machine was recommended and I'm down to about 2 events per hour vs 17 from the sleep study. I don't feel any difference in energy or fatigue but I guess that's a another thread for another day.

I have a great dentist (and he's retiring, boo hoo!) and asked him about oral appliances. He told me he would charge me a few thousand dollars to make one for me but didn't recommend it for anyone except those with mild sleep apnea. Even then, he said it does put stress on the TMJ and he has his patients do some exercises every morning to "re-align the jaw" after a night in a not very natural position. I was one who had a hard time getting used to CPAP, but now I wouldn't trade it for an oral appliance even if one could work on my severe apnea. CPAP can be an annoyance at times, but it's not painful.

[stevea520]

LOL, I hate using ANY mouth guard/appliance things. I have heard that the appliances for apnea push the jaw forward in a way that might not be good for some folks. I have minor tmj that normally doesn't cause any discomfort. I would be pretty happy if I could get the dreamwear to work without the morning teeth discomfort. It's actually a little difficult to get positioned just right vs nasal pillow. This is the one that has the little inserts that go in the nose (not really a pillow type I think). I know it is in wrong if it is hard to breath out through my nose. When it's in correctly I can role and sleep comfortably.

[readingteacher]

I tried X mouth tape from Amazon before getting the machine and it didn't bother me very much. You think it could help with the jaw clenching? With the machine on and full mask or just nasal pillow it's so hard to breath through the mouth that I might as well just forget about using the mouth at night anyway

After I apply mouth tape and settle in for the night with my CPAP, I consciously relax my jaw and let it "rest" against the mouth tape. Then I go to sleep.

Since I started using the mouth tape with the CPAP, I have less clenching at night. I know this because 1) my jaw feels better, and 2) my dentist told me that he can tell if I've been clenching because clenching leaves tooth marks on my TMJ splint. He has said I have fewer, less deep marks since I started the mouth tape with the CPAP.

Mouth tape is cheap, and since you have used it comfortably before it might be worth a try to see if it helps you.

[lynninnj]

LOL, I hate using ANY mouth guard/appliance things. I have heard that the appliances for apnea push the jaw forward in a way that might not be good for some folks. I have minor tmj that normally doesn't cause any discomfort. I would be pretty happy if I could get the dreamwear to work without the morning teeth discomfort. It's actually a little difficult to get positioned just right vs nasal pillow. This is the one that has the little inserts that go in the nose (not really a pillow type I think). I know it is in wrong if it is hard to breath out through my nose. When it's in correctly I can role and sleep comfortably.

Hi Steve,

I have TMJ that acts up every now and again too. I felt I had a hard time with the N30i Mainly because the silicone on the sides added a little extra pressure right at my temples. I now use the N30 and old school strap from a p10 with no buckle. I only mention this is a point of comparison and I don’t know where are the straps attached at the side for the masks that you have been using.

I find that sometimes when I’m laying down I can give myself a slight jaw manipulation just by sticking my fingers in my ear and pulling down towards my feet . That releases some of the tension. Better way to do it is when you’re sitting up, looking straight ahead, stick your fingers in the bottom of your ear holes and Pull straight down with your jaw relaxed. It’s not going to stop you from grinding your teeth but it might help release the jaw enough that you can be comfortable. I find that my teeth clank together if I don’t do that muscle relaxing technique. That is where my sore teeth are when they are uncomfortable.

My problem side of my jaw is on the left. For me when I am laying on my left I stick my finger in my right ear to pull down. It’s almost like the left side isn’t strong enough for the ligaments to keep the jaw in place. I’m not suggesting you use a lot of force just give it a gentle pull.

Hope that helps

[stevea520]

My problem side of my jaw is on the left. For me when I am laying on my left I stick my finger in my right ear to pull down. It’s almost like the left side isn’t strong enough for the ligaments to keep the jaw in place. I’m not suggesting you use a lot of force just give it a gentle pull.

Hope that helps

I started getting tinnitus in April this year so ENT sent me to PT as they thought it might be muscular related. Most of the treatment was dry needling - it didn't help my tinnitus but helped a lot with headaches. My jaw muscles are tired today but not painful. Not as uncomfortable as the dry needling was! I am going to try the mouth tape for a few nights and if it doesn't help I'll try the full mask for a while to see if the clenching stops.

[lynninnj]

My problem side of my jaw is on the left. For me when I am laying on my left I stick my finger in my right ear to pull down. It’s almost like the left side isn’t strong enough for the ligaments to keep the jaw in place. I’m not suggesting you use a lot of force just give it a gentle pull.

Hope that helps

I started getting tinnitus in April this year so ENT sent me to PT as they thought it might be muscular related. Most of the treatment was dry needling - it didn't help my tinnitus but helped a lot with headaches. My jaw muscles are tired today but not painful. Not as uncomfortable as the dry needling was! I am going to try the mouth tape for a few nights and if it doesn't help I'll try the full mask for a while to see if the clenching stops.

never done the needle but the muscle work really helps. mainly with the teeth hurting due to clacking. Maybe you know whay I mean by that? The misalignment causes certain teeth to hit.

muscle work/trigger points at the temple help also. Sometimes I use ice as well right at the temple.