Apnea with jaw clenching and teeth grinding

I am new to the apnea world and have not started using my cpap yet (doc's appt tomorrow). Besides having moderate apnea I also grind my teeth at night and clench my teeth/jaw. I never could find a mough guard that I could sleep with because they are so uncomfortable. I am being fitted for a nasal only mask because I don't not mouth breath. Has anyone seen where teeth grinding or jaw clenching negatively impacted the way the cpap worked for them. Or, has anyone see where fixing their apnea made their teeth grinding or clenching stop (or am I just dreaming) =) I wasn't sure if this is something I need to consider in the treatment of my apnea.

Hello and welcome. After a while on cpap my jaw clenching stopped. I'll let the others who clench and grind on cpap speak to any effect it has.

DawnL wrote:I am new to the apnea world and have not started using my cpap yet (doc's appt tomorrow). Besides having moderate apnea I also grind my teeth at night and clench my teeth/jaw. I never could find a mough guard that I could sleep with because they are so uncomfortable. I am being fitted for a nasal only mask because I don't not mouth breath. Has anyone seen where teeth grinding or jaw clenching negatively impacted the way the cpap worked for them. Or, has anyone see where fixing their apnea made their teeth grinding or clenching stop (or am I just dreaming) =) I wasn't sure if this is something I need to consider in the treatment of my apnea.

CPAP therapy has REDUCED by nocturnal bruxism. But instead of wondering why it is occurring, treat it. If you need SA therapy then that therapy needs to be continued.


Jaw clenching and dental grinding is vital to treat. Jaw clenching can cause headaches, TMJ dysfunction, dental fractures, loss of teeth, poor sleep, etc.

Repositioning splints/night guards can be uncomfortable. I use and enjoy the "Doctor's Night Guard"® which sells for only $35 at CVS Pharmacy and other places. You mold it yourself to your upper teeth and the process takes under two minutes. Money back guaranty. I use this night guard every night and there's no interference with OSA/CPAP therapy.

It's spongy and comfortable whereas the dentist will make one which is $200 to $800 and made of hard resin. BUT the advantage of the one professionally made is that the markings on the resin will tell the dentist where you are trying to locate your lower jaw. One of the causes of clenching and grinding is an improper bite. MOST cases of jaw clenching are stress-related, so do the ten or more things which reduce nocturnal stress/anxiety/tension.

LINK: http://www.doctorsnightguard.com

DISCLAIMER: I have no financial relationship with this company, and I don't know any of the developers, owners, or employees. I hold no stock in this company.

If you can't find one that fits and still need one... see your dentist to see if they can make you one.

Fun fact: I was told in a lecture on OSA that 98% of people that grind there teeth have apnea.

Interesting thread. I have read that nutritional deficiencies can cause teeth grinding--in particular, magnesium deficiency. If you decide to try adding magnesium, do not buy magnesium oxide--only 4% of it is absorbed by the body. Magnesium citrate is better and the cheapest but can have a laxative effect. Magnesium glycinate or magnesium malate are probably the easiest to tolerate if magnesium citrate gives you diarrhea. Studies show most American diets are deficient in magnesium--which is involved in about 400 or more vital reactions in the human body. If you don't get enough from your diet, your body steals it from your bones (osteoporosis anyone?). Magnesium can also help you relax if you are anxious and help you sleep better.

Dietary sources are nuts, leafy greens and chocolate (dark chocolate being the best source). But even regular consumers of these things benefit from supplements. IMHO, everyone should take magnesium.

Hope that helps you! All the other advice here is excellent too!

Morning and WELCOME
I accidently made myself into a teeth grinder . I was trying out the Swift Lt and my big mouth kept opening and was loosing therapy mighty fast. To fix that problem I clenched my teeth consequently broke 2 fillings.....Crap.. now I had 2 habits to break . I have now mastered both, a little tape on the big mouth and a conscious effort to close my lips but keep my teeth apart did the trick. You will master it all and your cpap therapy will be great! Keep reading on this forum and do listen to the advise you get. Some of the cpapers on this forum are EXPERTS they have been at it for years and have tried it all.
Good luck
Nan

I've been told by the dentist in the past that I clench my teeth. Must not have been very damaging because they never suggested doing anything about it? I've often wondered if it developed as a coping mechanism against constantly yawning during the day during my years of untreated OSA.

In regard to magnesium absorption.... a transdermal form of magnesium, called magnesium oil, is highly absorbable. It isn't really an oil, but a highly concentrated form of Mag and water that feels like an oil when applied..sans the slick! It is an excellent way to get mag into the body without the laxative side effect. This is one good site for info on it: http://www.transdermalmagnesium.net/magnesium.htm#mg I got started using it as it was supposed to help with fibro pain. I must say, it has helped considerably!

Thanks for all of the info. You all never cease to amaze me with your knowledge and willingness to share it. Thanks!!

DawnL wrote:I am new to the apnea world and have not started using my cpap yet (doc's appt tomorrow). Besides having moderate apnea I also grind my teeth at night and clench my teeth/jaw. I never could find a mough guard that I could sleep with because they are so uncomfortable. I am being fitted for a nasal only mask because I don't not mouth breath. Has anyone seen where teeth grinding or jaw clenching negatively impacted the way the cpap worked for them. Or, has anyone see where fixing their apnea made their teeth grinding or clenching stop (or am I just dreaming) =) I wasn't sure if this is something I need to consider in the treatment of my apnea.

I have both, and have been using a CPAP for over a year now. The mouth guard actually helps with the nasel mask, because you keep your mouth closed easier. I haven't tried to sleep without my guard, don't want to risk the heavy dental bills with broken teeth. By the way, our electricity went out last night, couldn't use the CPAP, thought I'd die this morning. I am getting a battery back up system of some sort!

Grinding can be a compensatory mechanism for a collapsing airway. It is a parasomnia. I have been wearing the same hard resin, custom-made nightguard for 15 years. I love it and miss it when I don't wear it. I also discovered that it keeps my top teeth in position, as I didn't wear it for a week after surgery, and it was very tight when I finally started wearing it again. It appears that its purpose is just to protect my teeth. I was told that nightguards can make keeping your mouth shut during CPAP therapy more difficult, although mine is very thin, so I don't think it has much of that effect on me.

I have read that some types of splints can actually make SDB worse because it prevents this compensatory mechanism, but I do not know which kind of splints those are. Ideally on CPAP, the need for such compensation should be diminished.