Snoring is a very common sleep issue. So is grinding of the teeth.
Are the two associated? And can ApneaRx help with both?
Teeth Grinding – What You Need to Know
Medically referred to as bruxism, teeth grinding is a common condition affecting up to half of us at some time. For most people, it’s only a transient, periodic issue, but for others, it becomes a habit.
Bruxism is the involuntary clenching and grinding of the teeth, particularly during sleep, i.e., “sleep bruxism”. Some people do it while awake as well, especially in response to emotions such as anxiety and anger.
Habitual teeth grinding is most common in children (around 15% of whom grind, often in response to the discomfort of erupting adult teeth) and young adults (at least 15%). The tendency to grind does lessen with age, although some people are lifelong clenchers or grinders.
Most who experience bruxism are not aware of it unless their sleeping partner alerts them to it (and a tooth-grinding sleep partner can be almost as annoying as a snoring partner!).
A lot of parents will hear their children grinding when they observe them sleeping. Most children who grind their teeth outgrow the habit after their adult teeth have all fully erupted. For some, stress and emotional issues may influence grinding, as can medical conditions including ADHD.
There are numerous causes of bruxism:
- Concentration or anger (especially if clenching while awake)
- Stress, anxiety, and depression
- Excess or pre-bedtime caffeine consumption
- Alcohol consumption
- Tobacco smoking/vaping (doubles one’s likelihood of bruxism if alcohol is consumed as well)
- Some prescription drugs (e.g., antidepressants and antipsychotics)
- Recreational drug use (particularly hallucinogens and stimulants)
- Snoring and obstructive sleep apnoea
While most of us are unaware we grind or clench, there are some signs and symptoms that flag the issue:
- Cracked tooth enamel, chipped or broken teeth
- Flattened molars and extreme wear and tear
- Dental sensitivity to heat, cold, and pressure
- Loose or lost teeth
- Damaged dental fillings, crowns, or implants
- Aching teeth and jaws
- Tooth indentations on the tongue
- Swollen areas or ulcers on inner cheeks from biting
- Aching or sore face, temples, or neck muscles
- Facial stiffness
- Pain or discomfort when chewing
- Chronic headache, ear pain, upper shoulder pain, and/or pain in the temporomandibular joint (TMJ)
- Clicking or popping, or loss of normal movement and/or function of the TMJ
- Enlarged masseter muscles (sides of the jaw)
Chronic bruxism can lead to TMJ disorder. This is a condition that results from overuse or an imbalance between the jaw joints. Habitual and prolonged teeth clenching and/or grinding is a major risk factor for TMJ disorder. Furthermore, TMJ disorder can itself cause stress, due to pain and discomfort as well as possible changes to the shape of the face; grinding the teeth can help offset the pain. This serves only to exacerbate the problem.
Managing bruxism can require the repair of damaged teeth, assessment of risk factors, stress management, relaxation techniques, cognitive behavioural therapy, hypnotherapy, massage, and the use of bite splints (prescribed by a dentist) or a mouth guard. In severe, chronic cases, especially where symptom relief is of major concern, medically prescribed and delivered Botox injections into the masseter muscles may help. Cortisone injections into the TMJ itself may occasionally be recommended.
The Relationship Between Bruxism and Snoring
Are snoring and teeth grinding related?
While neither condition has yet been proven to directly cause the other, links between the two have been scientifically identified and studies into the relationship between them are ongoing.
A 2020 study that was published in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health identified a relationship between bruxism and a higher likelihood of simple snoring (unrelated to sleep apnoea) and that both snoring and bruxism were significantly worse when the subject slept on their back.
Scientists currently believe that episodic bruxism is associated with microarousals and other sleep disruptions. The US Sleep Foundation reports increased brain and cardiac activity just before teeth grinding commences, which may explain the association between bruxism and snoring/sleep apnoea, as these also temporarily disrupt sleep. Studies have also demonstrated that sufferers of sleep apnoea are more prone to teeth grinding.
Sleep bruxism usually occurs early in the sleep cycle. This is when the depth of sleep is lighter, and REM is not occurring. This may be because snoring disrupts deeper sleep, and the likelihood of grinding the teeth is greater in lighter sleep states.
Research into this phenomenon is ongoing, however, the complex relationship between snoring and bruxism has been identified.
What to do About Teeth Grinding?
It’s important to manage both snoring and bruxism, whether they occur independently or together. This will help improve your sleep quality, health, and well-being. It also has myriad dental benefits.
Common Remedies for Teeth Clenching and Grinding Include:
- Stress management and relaxation techniques
- Sleep on Your Side
- Have regular dental check-ups
- Take high-quality magnesium, vitamin B5, vitamin D & calcium supplements
- See a specialist Dentist or Head and Neck Doctor about Botox for bruxism
- Use ApneaRx!
Can ApneaRx Work if You Grind Your Teeth?
Yes! ApneaRx is an effective device to help treat snoring and sleep apnea (mild to moderate) , it can certainly be used by people who also grind their teeth.
ApneaRx is a comfortable oral mouthguard for snoring and sleep apnea that is made with ample cushioning material. When used, the teeth of your upper and lower jaws do not contact each other, so even if you clench your teeth and jaws in your sleep, you can’t physically grind your teeth while it is being worn.
ApneaRx is a top-quality anti-snoring device that offers an affordable, convenient, and effective snoring solution, and it can also replace night guards and dental splints which are used exclusively for teeth grinding.
Do you have snoring & teeth grinding issues?
Try ApneaRx now to:
- improve your sleep
- treat symptoms associated with snoring & sleep apnea
- alleviate the side effects of grinding your teeth
ApneaRx is recommended by doctors, dentists, pharmacists, and sleep specialists and it is used all over the world by adults of all ages.
