Many patients come to us exhausted, reporting not just poor sleep but also jaw pain and worn-down teeth. It is surprisingly common to suffer from both obstructive sleep apnea and bruxism, or chronic teeth grinding. Fortunately, we offer a solution that effectively addresses both conditions simultaneously, helping you protect your smile while ensuring you get the restorative rest you deserve every night.
Grinding Your Teeth at Night? How Oral Appliances Treat Both Bruxism and Apnea
The Connection Between Apnea and Grinding
When your airway collapses during sleep, your body instinctively fights to reopen it. This struggle often triggers the jaw to clench and move, resulting in grinding. We see this frequently; the body attempts to stiffen the throat muscles by engaging the jaw. Consequently, treating the airway issue often resolves the grinding naturally, without requiring separate, conflicting treatments for each specific problem.
Oral Appliance Therapy for Sleep Apnea
Our preferred method for addressing these dual issues is obstructive sleep apnea oral appliance therapy. Unlike bulky CPAP machines, these custom-fit devices look similar to sports mouthguards but are precision-engineered to hold your lower jaw slightly forward. This gentle positioning keeps your airway open throughout the night, preventing the collapse that causes apnea and stopping the stress response that leads to grinding.
Why It Is superior to a Standard Nightguard
You might think a standard dentist's nightguard is enough, but it only protects teeth surfaces; it does not keep the airway open. In fact, regular nightguards can sometimes make apnea worse by taking up tongue space. Our oral appliance therapy for sleep apnea is specifically designed to treat the underlying breathing obstruction, which is the root cause of your sleep disruption and subsequent jaw clenching.
Sleep Apnea Treatment Without CPAP
For many, the best part of this approach is finding effective sleep apnea treatment without CPAP. We know that masks and hoses can be intrusive, often leading to lower compliance. By switching to a comfortable, silent oral appliance, you eliminate the noise and discomfort of a machine. You gain a portable, discreet solution that treats both your breathing and your bruxism effectively.
We are dedicated to helping you achieve optimal health through better sleep. By choosing our specialized approach, you address the root cause of your fatigue and dental wear in one step. If you are ready to wake up refreshed and pain-free, contact Sleep Center of Colorado today to schedule your complimentary screening and discover if this solution is right for you.