Bruxism Linked to Apnea Too !

[pratzert]

I have been told for many, many years by my Dentist's that I must be grinding my teeth when I sleep because they can see the wear and tear on my teeth.

They have suggested mouth guards of various sorts, but that was the extent of it.

Now that I've been officially diagnosed with SOSA, I have learned that one of the ailments linked to Sleep Apnea is..... Bruxism..... or teeth grinding.

I am very disappointed that the various Dentist's that I've had has never once suggested I look into the possiblilty that I might have Sleep Apnea.

According to my Sleep Doctor, Bruxism is VERY common with Apnea sufferers.

The list of problems I have have are ALL linked to Sleep Apnea.

High Blood Pressure, Bruxism, Over weight ( although not too bad in my case), Forgetfullness, etc...... All conditions I am hoping will be corrected/improved after I'm on my therapy for a while.

I hope the awareness of Sleep Apnea with all the associated health problems, will continue to be spread throughout the Health Provider Industry.

Tim

[Guest]

[quote="pratzert"]
Now that I've been officially diagnosed with SOSA, I have learned that one of the ailments linked to Sleep Apnea is..... Bruxism..... or teeth grinding.

[\quote]

Not doubting, but curious what your basis for this is. Do you have a link?

[suefox51]

Here's a link: http://www.stanford.edu/~dement/bruxism.html

[pratzert]

Here ya go....

http://web4health.info/en/answers/sleep-brux-apnea.htm

http://www.talkaboutsleep.com/sleep-dis ... ruxism.htm

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/quer ... t=Abstract

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/quer ... t=Abstract

http://www.apneasupport.org/about427.html

http://www.sciencenews.org/articles/200 ... e13ref.asp

http://www.ronstubbs.com/BruxismTeethGrinding.htm

http://www.dentalappliance.com/about.htm

http://www.chestjournal.org/cgi/content ... t/119/1/53

http://members.tripod.com/%7Esleephealt ... ml#bruxism

http://www.looksmarttrends.com/p/articl ... i_72058406


How's That ? Just do a Google Search on Sleep Apnea & Bruxism

And as I said... My doc also informed me of the same thing.

Tim

[SLEEPYCD]

Tim & Guest,
I can relate! My Sleep Study confirmed I also have bruxism. One of the many ailments linked to OSA. After many visits and many $$$$$ to the dentist over the years, you'd think they would have figured that out. You begin to realize after you start getting good therapy, that there are so many indicators to having OSA. Knowledge is the key, you are on your way!!! My Sleep Study Doctor gave a lecture at a Women's Symposium recently on Sleep Disorders. I asked him if he would ever give a lecture to a CPAP Support Group, he said he doubted it. I told him I learned most of what I know about OSA from this website!!!!! He said I probably would benefit more from other people's insight, than anything he could tell me??? Isn't this sad, but he was right!!! Remember, we are all in this together... Good Luck Tim.
Carolyn

[snoozie_suzy]

I have been told for many, many years by my Dentist's that I must be grinding my teeth when I sleep because they can see the wear and tear on my teeth.

CPAPopedia Keywords Contained In This Post (Click For Definition): Bruxism

Tim~

My first sleep study four years ago got ordered by an Oral TMJ surgeon I had gone to for bad TMJ. He looked at the circles under my eyes and how much neck pain I had in the mornings. He sited that the bruxism could be causing my neck pain, but wondered if the real culprit was sleep apnea. He ordered jaw xrays and the tmj joints which are normally rounded at the tips were completely flattened from years of grinding. All my years of braces and seeing orthodontists and noone noticed that my jaw joint pops in and out on the left side. The oral surgeon said the extent of damage to my tmj discs and teeth has been going on for years, and very surprised no physician had been alerted to it. I switched dentists a year ago and the new one I go to immediately knew I grinded my teeth at night because he had to file the tips of my teeth down because they were splintered. He didn't bother selling me a mouth guard because he said simply "the damage has already been done" (to my tmj's.)

Interesting articles. Thanks for posting.

Suzy

[pratzert]

Suzy,

I'm glad that your Oral Surgeon was smart enough to recognize the signs of Apnea.

Hopefully, awareness is increasing and even a General Dentist will consider Apnea as a cause of some dental problems.

Thanks, Tim

[Offerocker]

According to my Sleep Doctor, Bruxism is VERY common with Apnea sufferers.

The list of problems I have have are ALL linked to Sleep Apnea.

High Blood Pressure, Bruxism, Over weight ( although not too bad in my case), Forgetfullness, etc..

Same here, Pratzert!

Except that I have LOW blood pressure.
My Bruxism is the 'clenching' variety, and I find myself doing it during the day also.

Another commonality I've discovered (No study, just word-of-mouth) is Acid reflux, and PLMD.

Again, don't know which horse is drawing the cartful of problems, but I'd put my money on Apnea, as I've been feeling better with treatment - except for the PLMD, a real monster in my case.

I often wonder why the medical community has us fill out the forms re what ailments we have, then chooses to ignore them. Even without education, just seeing the same things in association ought to ring a bell - somewhere.
...unless they enjoy the sound of the other 'bell': Ka-Ching!! $$$$

[Swordz]

He ordered jaw xrays and the tmj joints which are normally rounded at the tips were completely flattened from years of grinding. All my years of braces and seeing orthodontists and noone noticed that my jaw joint pops in and out on the left side. The oral surgeon said the extent of damage to my tmj discs and teeth has been going on for years, and very surprised no physician had been alerted to it.

Interesting you mention that, becuase I have a similar situation revealed after going for my MMA consultation. After having taken panoramic jaw xrays, my jaw joints were noticed to be "severely degenerated". Regarding the shape of the normal joint, they mentioned mine had a "bird-beak shape" which is not good. I'm assuming it is because of my bruxism, but can't remember if that was said or not.

Anyways, my oral surgeon said that MMA was possible, but any possible jaw complications due to the degeneration wouldn't be known until after surgery. I'm sure at some point I may have to have a jaw-replacement surgery.

[pratzert]

[quote="Offerockerday also.

Another commonality I've discovered (No study, just word-of-mouth) is Acid reflux, and PLMD.
_________________

Ya... me too..... Acid Reflux and some PLM's. But I thought my "List" was already long enough.....

My sleep Doc was very optimistic that many of these ailments would disappear or , at least lessen, as my treatment progressed.

Geez.... I'll be happy if even just a few of them go away....

Tim

[Offerocker]

I forgot to add Depression to the list.
Let's see...5 pills daily, one CPAP machine.
I'm hoping that the 5:1 ratio becomes 0:1
...not to mention the darn side-effects of the meds, plus expense!

An apple by day,
CPAP by night,
In time...
I'll be alright

[kteague]

There's lots of info out there on sleep apnea in relation to acid reflux and PLMD. There's still that "chicken or the egg" thing, but that there is some relationship is pretty much a given. Searching this site and the web will give an abundance of info.

In my readings, a few docs didn't seem to take PLMD very seriously in its impact on sleep or cause of EDS. If those links I was reading weren't so old I would have written a flaming letter. I sympathize with their poor patients. PLMD can be tormenting and even debilitating with resultant muscle & joint pain and sleep disruption. Now, whether their relationship with sleep apnea is causal or incidental, I think the jury is still out. I can only say from experience that if you are being treated for sleep apnea and are still sleepyheaded and your doc doesn't believe in treating your PLMD though diagnosed at least moderate, your expected daytime results from cpap treatment quite probably are comprised by the limb movements.

Just yesterday I was at the dentist and the hygienist mentioned that she was surprised my teeth showed no damage from bruxism since I have sleep apnea. I told her I'm not a grinder. It's good that some in the dental field are looking for correlating disorders.

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/medical ... wsid=13671

[Offerocker]

kteague,

I have an appointment in Philadelphia at major center with a Movement Disorder Neurologist in a couple weeks. I will pass on to this Forum all info received. He is same neuro that's been treating my husband, a PWP (person with Parkinson's). side note: there's a movement in the medical community (specialists) to have the gov't change term from Parkinson's "DISEASE" to "DISORDER". Just as Apnea is not a disease, but a disorder. Diseases have a known cause, disorders don't.
Will let you know what I find out; I trust him.

[kteague]

offerocker.

I look forward to hearing from you after your return from Philly. Since you mentioned your husband has Parkinson's, I probably take the same meds. Took Sinemet several years, now take Mirapex for my RLS and PLMD. Ironically (pun intended) for 8 years no doctor tested my ferritin level till last week, and it is lower than recommended for RLS and PLMD patients. I'm going to be both glad and angry if I find that all these years of taking meds with bad side effects were not necessary. And the new doc cut my Mirapex dosage in half and my sleep has not been affected.

There ought to be mandatory detailed info for all patients taking Sinemet, because most are never given the knowledge to help them optimize the effectiveness of their medicine without upping the dose. (search previous post on the topic).

Best wishes on your search for answers. Glad you plan to share.

Kathy

[SuxBeingU]

The only ailment I ahd with my apnea, that I know of, is sleeping while I drive. This became a real issue when I wasn't getting any sleep. I would drive 100-150 mile a day. thank God I survive and no one ever got hurt.