Teeth Grinding

[Alabama Girl]

I am curious about whether or not I grind my teeth while sleeping. My dentist thinks I might, but I don't think I do. I had tongue ulcers which could also be caused by dry mouth.

I seem to remember one of the hookups during my sleep study was supposed to check for that. I have a 9 page report & I don't see it on there. Does anyone know if it is indicated in any of my reports?

Thanks!

[roster]

......... My dentist thinks I might, but I don't think I do. .........

Depending on the severity, your dentist may be able to detect teeth grinding from the damage he observes.

Teeth grinding (bruxism) is often found among people with untreated sleep apnea. During the struggle to breathe while asleep, it is a natural reflex to grind the teeth.

Successfully treat sleep apnea and bruxism will often disappear.

[Paul56]

I am curious about whether or not I grind my teeth while sleeping. My dentist thinks I might, but I don't think I do. I had tongue ulcers which could also be caused by dry mouth.

Your dentist is likely observing the damage on your teeth from bruxism as the teeth tend to wear down with the grinding.

Stress also causes bruxism.

[MoneyGal]

FWIW, bruxism is also *much* more prevalent in women than men. Bruxism is defined not only as tooth grinding, but tooth clenching. TMJ (also much more prevalent in women than men) is another, related condition. Both conditions are strongly associated with OSA.

I was first diagnosed with TMJ as a teen. Over time, I learned to manage my own stresses better and was able to stop using an appliance for TMJ.

[Snorebert]

Teeth grinding (bruxism) is often found among people with untreated sleep apnea.

I had never heard that, Rooster. Interesting. During my 15 or so of untreated OSA, I ground my teeth down to the point of needing $10k in crowns.

[harry33]

a dentist told me that tooth grinding and jaw clenching in sleep are so common that they should be considered normal, also that they cause about half of all dental repair work

the clenching can cause severe pain in muscles below the ears, anxiety is a common cause of both

a football mouthguard helps teeth slide over eachother, a splint made by dentist keeps teeth apart

[roster]

a dentist told me that tooth grinding and jaw clenching in sleep are so common that they should be considered normal, also that they cause about half of all dental repair work

.........

I will say that dentist demonstrated ignorance. Ignorance of the root cause of bruxism.

Sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) affects more than half of the adults in the U.S. population. SDB often causes bruxism. Put the two together and you see how the dentist says bruxism is common. But no, it is not normal. SDB is higly prevalent but not normal. SDB needs to be treated and eventually we need to figure out a practical way to prevent it.

My dentist kept checking my teeth and dental work at every semi-annual cleaning for bruxism without telling me he was checking it (the asshole!). Then I found out I had severe obstructive sleep apnea and that it causes bruxism in many people. The next time I went back to that asshole dentist I had a message for him: "Screen every patient with bruxism for SDB and refer them to a sleep doc if the screening is positive. Go to your ADA convention and propose they make this standard practice."

Many dentists are, just in 2009, starting to screen for SDB.

[thenapper]

I am a serious grinder even with CPAP. So my dentist hooked me up with a snore gaurd. It pretty much locks my jaw in place, making it to where top and bottom teeth cannot meet. I got it because I also have trigeminal neuralgia, and think the grinding sets off the painful episodes. (try this first before brain surgery) Anyway, I am now sleeping with the snore guard and a full face mask. I am feeling even more rested than ever before, since does double duty by keeping the lower jaw forward, and the cpap shoves in the air. And my teeth are not hurting like they were. It does however dry out my mouth so I have to be sure to drink plenty of water before sleeping. Called a TAP if anyone is interested. I tried to use this with a nasal mask but it is too difficult to keep my mouth closed over the dental appliance, so it has to be full face now.

[roster]

I am a serious grinder even with CPAP. So my dentist hooked me up with a snore gaurd. It pretty much locks my jaw in place, making it to where top and bottom teeth cannot meet. I got it because I also have trigeminal neuralgia, and think the grinding sets off the painful episodes. (try this first before brain surgery) Anyway, I am now sleeping with the snore guard and a full face mask. I am feeling even more rested than ever before, since does double duty by keeping the lower jaw forward, and the cpap shoves in the air. And my teeth are not hurting like they were. It does however dry out my mouth so I have to be sure to drink plenty of water before sleeping. Called a TAP if anyone is interested. I tried to use this with a nasal mask but it is too difficult to keep my mouth closed over the dental appliance, so it has to be full face now.

The TAP (Thornton Adjustable Positioner) should not be referred to as a "snore guard". The TAP is the top-of-the-line adjustable mandibular advancement splint for treating some cases of sleep-disordered breathing. Congratulations for making such a good choice in oral devices.

"Snore Guard" is another brand of oral devices. It is not adjustable but is considerably cheaper. It may work for some patients.

Investment in the TAP is more expensive. But the investment is less risky, because the adjustability of the device results in a higher percentage of user compliance.

Thanks for your post,