At Universal Smiles Dental, we firmly believe that maintaining your oral health is more than just clean teeth. Understanding how other different conditions may have a harmful effect on your oral health is essential. Two such common conditions include bruxism (teeth grinding) and sleep apnea. In the following blog post we will explore what these two conditions are, how they are connected and affect your well being. We will also discuss the ways in which Universal Smiles Dental will help you treat and manage them.

What is Bruxism?

Bruxism more commonly known as teeth grinding, clenching or gnashing is a habitual condition. It is involuntary and happens usually at night when you’re asleep and unaware of it. Persistence of this condition leads to several dental and health problems down the line. Common symptoms of bruxism include:

• Worn down teeth due to loss of enamel resulting in chipped or cracked teeth.
• Jaw pain leading to discomfort especially while opening and closing the mouth.
• Headaches due to the tension created in the facial muscles by grinding.
• Earaches.
• Teeth sensitivity due to wearing down of enamel.

What is Sleep Apnea?

This is a sleeping disorder in which a person’s breathing suddenly stops for a few seconds and then starts again. This is known as an apneic episode. Obstructive sleep apnea is the most common type of this condition. It is when the muscles of the throat relax excessively and block the air passage. Another less common type is central apnea. This happens when the brain fails to signal the muscles responsible for breathing. Common symptoms are:

• Loud snoring, the most noticeable symptom.
• Frequently waking up at night.
• Excessive sleepiness during the daytime.
• Headaches usually in the morning.
• Dry mouth or sore throat due to breathing through the mouth.

How are both the conditions connected?

In reality, bruxism and sleep apnea are different disorders but have significant connection with each other. So how are these two conditions linked?

An involuntary grinding or clenching of the teeth may occur in people with sleep apnea. This results from the body’s attempt to ‘wake up’ and restore normal breathing during an apneic episode. It’s a response thought to be an effort of the body to get the airflow back. The obstruction creates a pressure that can return an automatic reflex to close the jaw muscles in a process called bruxism.

On the contrary, bruxism can make sleep apnea worse. Muscle tension in the jaw and neck occur during the night because of teeth clenching and grinding. This can create further obstruction of the airway making it harder to breathe properly while you’re dozed off. Symptoms caused by sleep apnea may make this vicious cycle worse. What they both have in common are risk factors for both. This includes stress, anxiety and sleep quality.

Impact on Oral Health

If not addressed, bruxism and sleep apnea can lead to chronic damage to your oral health. For example, bruxism can put your teeth through excessive wearing down. This can cause the need for restorative treatments like crowns, fillings, or even root canals. Teeth grinding (bruxism) can create pressure and add to existing problems with the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) causing jaw pain. Making it difficult to open the mouth or bite, chew and talk normally.

Dry mouth as a result of sleep apnea can also lead to an increased risk of getting tooth decay and gum disease. When the mouth is dry, there’s less saliva to wash away food particles and neutralize harmful acids produced by bacteria. The result can be cavities, gum inflammation and even loss of teeth over time.

Treatment and management

Proper diagnosis is the first step of management of these conditions. At Universal Smiles Dental we use advanced diagnostic tools to evaluate bruxism and sleep apnea. X-rays will be taken to assess the condition of your teeth, jaw, and muscles. A physical exam shall also be performed to check the mobility of your jaw and facial muscles. Our doctor may refer you to a sleep specialist if we suspect sleep apnea. The specialist will perform a study to confirm whether or not you have sleep apnea and how bad the condition is.

Among the most common treatments for bruxism is a custom night guard. A night guard is a dental appliance used to prevent harmful grinding of your teeth. It is made of durable material and sits over your teeth to cushion the impact from grinding and prevents enamel wear down.

The treatment for sleep apnea frequently includes the use of a CPAP machine (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure). It is to help keep the airway open while a person sleeps. In case you can’t tolerate the CPAP machine, we might suggest a custom oral appliance. This oral appliance will mimic the jaw and tongue to help keep the airway open.

Fortunately, in some cases lifestyle changes or stress management can help diminish symptoms of both sleep apnea and bruxism. We can suggest ways to improve sleep cycle and relaxation exercises for stress in day to day life. Contact us at the earliest and book your consultation appointment.

Frequently asked questions

1.  What lifestyle changes can help me counter these conditions?

Lifestyle changes such as following proper sleep wake cycles, yoga, meditation and regular exercise will help you manage and control these conditions.

2.  Is sleep apnea genetic?

Yes, genetics can play a role in the development of this condition. Factors such as the size of your airway, family history of sleep disorders and stress increase the risk of you having it.

3.  How can I know if my child suffers from bruxism?

Children suffering from bruxism often have underlying issues like stress or misaligned teeth. Signs to look out for include wearing down marks on teeth, frequent jaw pain, headache or earache complaints.