Bruxism

Grinding or clenching your teeth at night, or bruxism, is a condition that affects thousands of people across the United States. The involuntary habit can wear down teeth, while the intense pressure can cause teeth to crack or break. It can also cause facial pain, jaw disorders, earaches, and other health issues.

Teeth Grinding and OSA

Bruxism is a major indicator of obstructive sleep apnea. Those who suffer from OSA wake up involuntarily throughout the night to restart their breathing. These arousals can be accompanied by increased muscle movements of the jaw, causing the teeth to grind together. It is also believed that the body attempts to reposition the jaw to help open the airway while you sleep, which also causes the grinding.

Diagnosis

While OSA cannot be diagnosed without sleep tests, bruxism is easily detected during a routine oral exam. Because the two disorders are linked, a trained sleep dentist like Dr. Louie will connect worn down teeth with the possibility of sleep apnea. If further signs are discovered, he will suggest you get testing to make a determination as to whether you suffer from this dangerous condition.

Treatment

Both bruxism and sleep apnea can be treated with oral appliances. A nightguard is a device that resembles a mouthguard, designed to keep your teeth from grinding during the night. Sleep apnea oral appliances are designed to hold the jaw in place to prevent the airway from closing. Because the jaw is not moving, and the body is not trying to involuntarily open the airway, the teeth do not wear against each other and cause damage.

If you or a loved one suffer from bruxism, make an appointment with Dr. Louie by calling our office at (323) 461-9353 today.