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Grinding my jaw - Printable Version

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Grinding my jaw - sjssf - 04-15-2014

Has anyone else started grinding their teeth/jaw after starting a CPAP machine? It's the only side effect I've noticed so far that isn't positive.


RE: Grinding my jaw - Stargazer - 04-15-2014

(04-15-2014, 04:38 PM)sjssf Wrote: Has anyone else started grinding their teeth/jaw after starting a CPAP machine? It's the only side effect I've noticed so far that isn't positive.

I've only been on cpap for about a week now and I have not experienced that one yet. I now sleep on my back where I never used too. I wonder if it's a sleep position thing?!

Anyway, I would contact your sleep doc ASAP so that you don't cause physical or cosmetic damage to your teeth. You're probably looking at getting some type of mouthguard to wear at night.

Best of luck and welcome!


RE: Grinding my jaw - eviltim - 04-15-2014

Interesting. Yeah, I would talk to the doc (maybe a dentist for a mouth guard). I actually ground my teeth as a teen due to medications I was on, but haven't noticed anything like that so far after 10 or so months of CPAP. What makes you think you're grinding your teeth? Damage?



RE: Grinding my jaw - sjssf - 04-16-2014

My jaw is tense. I used to do this when I smoked. I quit years ago and the grinding stopped overnight. Very weird.
I mentioned it to the doctor and he didn't seem interested.
The cpap machine had been trauma enough. I don't know if I could deal with a mouth guard too.


RE: Grinding my jaw - JimZZZ - 04-17-2014

(04-15-2014, 04:38 PM)sjssf Wrote: Has anyone else started grinding their teeth/jaw after starting a CPAP machine?
(04-15-2014, 04:59 PM)Stargazer Wrote: I would contact your sleep doc ASAP so that you don't cause physical or cosmetic damage to your teeth.
Because I refused to wear a night guard during my grinding years, I am facing some very expensive reconstructive dental work to repair cracks, chips and missing enamel. If you can't stop grinding, I would certainly consider trying a guard.




RE: Grinding my jaw - lafsa - 04-17-2014

i grind my teeth, also... though, i believe it started long before cpap.... i went to an oral pain specialist and now wear a 'splint' on my lower teeth nightly.

grinding can cause major dental and jaw problems!

btw... so can wearing jaw straps.


RE: Grinding my jaw - Sleepster - 04-17-2014

I was able to do away with my night guard after using my CPAP machine for a few months.



RE: Grinding my jaw - sjssf - 04-17-2014

I think it may have something to do with relearning how to breath. I used to be a mouth breather (although kind of unaware of it) due to allergies. Right before I was diagnosed with apnea, I was getting treated for allergies. (Thank you Obamacare!) I think I'm unconsciously trying to keep my mouth shut and I do it by grinding. If it continues, I'll see my regular doc about it.


RE: Grinding my jaw - EvelynCale - 04-18-2014

I did not know cpap can cause "grinding teeth." Good thing I only use a mouth guard.


RE: Grinding my jaw - JimZZZ - 04-18-2014

(04-17-2014, 05:57 PM)lafsa Wrote: grinding can cause major dental and jaw problems!
btw... so can wearing jaw straps.
If I wear a night guard along with my chin strap, do you think I could avoid the jaw strap damage? I am about to spend way too much money on porcelain caps and don't want to damage them with my chin strap. How do you think the chin strap damages teeth? Probably just keeps them clamped together too tightly.