Sleep Apnea vs. Bruxism?
It is sometimes painful if you find yourself grinding your teeth at night. Rockwall Oral Surgery might have some answers you have been looking for. Sleep apnea vs. bruxism is some research we share with patients who believe grinding their teeth affects their sleep. Reach out to us if you have any questions or concerns!
What is Bruxism, You Might Ask?
Bruxism is a fancy way to address clenching the jaw or grinding the teeth. This can happen any time of the day. However, it is most frequent at night. Sleep bruxism can cause patients to awaken feeling unrefreshed, sometimes with morning headaches and neck or jaw pain.
Sleep bruxism is not commonly addressed unless patients bring up the symptoms. On the other hand, specialists notice bruxism causing sleep apnea due to misalignment of the teeth or jaw. This can be found during cleaning or follow-up visits to a procedure.
Sleep bruxism is an oral health problem and a sleep-related movement disorder. This is an involuntary movement of the jaw while you are sleeping. We might check your blood pressure, ask about sleeping habits, if you snore, any stress in your life, and other related questions. We do this because sleep bruxism can be a form of misdiagnosed obstructive sleep apnea.
Who is at Risk of Sleep Apnea or Bruxism?
- Petite women
- Children with ADHD and other learning disabilities
- People with a long neck
- People who did not breastfeed as infants
- People with anxiety and depression
You must understand this list is not final, and sleep apnea and bruxism can affect anyone at anytime. Some symptoms to be aware of are our blood pressure, overweight, snoring, daytime fatigue, and others. It is essential to reach out when you notice any of these symptoms so we can find a solution and help you find ways to achieve a restful night’s sleep.
Come to Rockwall Oral Surgery for Answers
If you are unsure why you cannot sleep through the night and are experiencing tooth pain, it might be time to make an appointment with Dr. Pollock. We will complete an evaluation and find a solution to why you have been having sleeping issues. Call us at (469) 264-8921, or feel free to leave a message on our website to schedule your appointment!
