Dr Chris Papoutsi, DDS, PgCert DentSM
TMJ & Bruxism
The Link Between Bruxism and Sleep Apnoea
​
Bruxism, the habitual grinding or clenching of teeth, is a common condition that can occur during sleep. While many people associate bruxism with stress or anxiety, there is a significant connection between bruxism and sleep apnoea, a more serious sleep disorder. Both conditions often occur together and can significantly impact a patient's quality of life. Understanding this link is essential for managing both conditions and ensuring better overall health.
​
What is Sleep Apnoea?
Sleep apnoea is a sleep disorder characterized by repeated interruptions in breathing during sleep. The most common type, Obstructive Sleep Apnoea (OSA), occurs when the muscles in the throat relax too much during sleep, blocking the airway and causing brief pauses in breathing. These breathing interruptions can occur dozens or even hundreds of times per night, leading to fragmented sleep and a lack of oxygen to the brain and body.
​
How Are Bruxism and Sleep Apnoea Connected?
Research shows a significant link between bruxism and sleep apnoea. People with sleep apnoea, especially those with OSA, are more likely to experience teeth grinding or jaw clenching during sleep.
Here's why:
-
Airway Obstruction: During a sleep apnoea episode, when the airway becomes obstructed and breathing stops, the body instinctively responds by "fighting" to reopen the airway. This often involves tightening the jaw muscles or grinding the teeth, which can result in bruxism.
-
Oxygen Deprivation: When the oxygen levels drop due to a blocked airway, the body goes into a state of stress. This heightened stress can trigger muscle activity, including bruxism, as the body attempts to increase airflow and stabilize breathing.
-
Sleep Disruption: Sleep apnea leads to poor-quality sleep with frequent awakenings. The fragmented sleep patterns and lack of deep, restorative sleep can increase muscle tension, causing individuals to grind or clench their teeth more frequently during sleep.
The Impact of Bruxism and Sleep Apnoea
Both bruxism and sleep apnoea can have serious consequences for oral and overall health:
-
Tooth Damage: Chronic teeth grinding can wear down tooth enamel, lead to cracked teeth, and cause dental sensitivity.
-
Jaw Pain: Bruxism places excessive strain on the temporomandibular joint (TMJ), leading to discomfort and pain in the jaw, face, and neck.
-
Sleep Deprivation: The frequent arousals caused by sleep apnoea can result in chronic fatigue, difficulty concentrating, and mood disturbances.
-
Increased Risk of Heart Disease: Sleep apnoea is associated with increased cardiovascular risk, including high blood pressure and a higher likelihood of heart disease and stroke.
Managing Bruxism and Sleep Apnoea
If you suffer from both bruxism and sleep apnoea, it’s important to seek treatment for both conditions to prevent further complications:
-
Oral Appliances: A custom-made nightguard can help protect your teeth from grinding and alleviate pressure on the jaw if you are not snoring or have any sleep apnoea. For snoring and sleep apnoea, an oral mandibular advancement appliance designed to reposition the jaw may help open the airway and reduce apnoea’s. The type of appliance for your needs is determined after an airway and TMJ assessment followed by a sleep test to accurately diagnose your condition.
-
Sleep Studies: A sleep study (polysomnography) can help diagnose sleep apnoea and determine the severity of the condition. Once diagnosed, Dr Chris can recommend the most appropriate treatment.
-
Stress Management: Managing stress through techniques such as meditation, yoga, or therapy can help reduce the likelihood of grinding your teeth at night.
-
Lifestyle Modifications: Addressing factors that contribute to both conditions, such as weight management, reducing alcohol consumption, and sleeping on your side, can improve sleep apnoea and bruxism symptoms.
How Dr Chris Can Help
Dr Chris is a dentist with in-depth expertise in dental sleep medicine can help diagnose and treat bruxism and sleep apnoea. She can create custom made oral appliances, such as mandibular advancement devices (MAD), which can both alleviate teeth grinding and help manage snoring and mild to moderate sleep apnoea.
By addressing both bruxism and sleep apnoea together, you can improve your sleep quality, protect your teeth, and reduce the risk of more serious health issues.