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Permalink Reply by Henning on February 26, 2010 at 3:11pm

Here is what I wrote in a thread recently.

For me it started the same way as you describe. I began unconsciously to bite my teeth together (probably to avoid leaks). After some time (weeks) I had TMJ problems.

This is a serious problem that may cause much pain, and take a long time to get over.

So it is really a vicious circle.

But there is an easy solution.

Today you can have a new kind of innovative devices to use only on your incisors (an NTI device), and you cannot even feel that you have it on.

And how does it work. Try to bite down on a wooden pencil with your back teeth as hard as you can. You'll feel the muscle bulge as it intensely contracts. Now compare two when biting on the pencil with your front teeth only. That's how it works.

Here is a link to the manufacturer:

http://www.nti-tss.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&a...

You need to find a dentist two make this device special for you, but in fact it is much cheaper than a traditional mouth guard.

Henning

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Permalink Reply by Mike on February 28, 2010 at 4:39pm

i have teeth grinding issues myself. The pain was so pronounced this week i thought i might have an ear infection. I don't quite recall where, but there's a thread on here about the connection between teeth grinding/TMJ and sleep apnea. People who have sleep apnea commonly have teeth grinding/ TMJ problems and visa versa.

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Permalink Reply by Judy on February 28, 2010 at 9:33pm

Could it be that the bottom of the mask is too tight against your top front teeth? You might try loosening the bottom straps and maybe tightening the top straps a skosh.

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Permalink Reply by Ty Stetzenmeyer on March 6, 2010 at 1:31am

I have been having issues with my teeth moving for several weeks and it is because of the CPAP mask. I have read many other accounts on the Internet. This is VERY COMMON, but the medical profession does not care. If they did, they would make sure their patients know about the risks and tell them they may need a tooth guard or worse.

For me, I am losing weight and forgetting the machine, I will not deal with buck teeth or the thousands of dollars fixing them. I am already relearning muscle control in my mouth just to speak.

Ty

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Permalink Reply by Mike on March 9, 2010 at 5:45pm

Sounds a little extreme to me. Before you go cold turkey on CPAP, i'd make sure you've run the gamut of masks -- types, sizes, manufacturers, etc. I'd be shocked if there isn't one out there that would reduce the incidence of the problems you're having with your teeth.

Ty Stetzenmeyer said:

I have been having issues with my teeth moving for several weeks and it is because of the CPAP mask. I have read many other accounts on the Internet. This is VERY COMMON, but the medical profession does not care. If they did, they would make sure their patients know about the risks and tell them they may need a tooth guard or worse.

For me, I am losing weight and forgetting the machine, I will not deal with buck teeth or the thousands of dollars fixing them. I am already relearning muscle control in my mouth just to speak.

Ty

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Permalink Reply by RockRpsgt on March 9, 2010 at 5:53pm

What do you mean muscle control? How could this help your apnea. Sleep induces a lack of muscle control by nature. Not that strengthening your muscles won't help. I just would not count on this improving your apnea much. Maybe you should get a mouth guard. I would definately work on your weight. Using CPAP will help with this as you will have more energy. if it were me and I had to choose between sore teeth and a longer life I would find a way to fix the tooth problem.

The system may not always work, but there are people in the medical community that care.

Ty Stetzenmeyer said:

I have been having issues with my teeth moving for several weeks and it is because of the CPAP mask. I have read many other accounts on the Internet. This is VERY COMMON, but the medical profession does not care. If they did, they would make sure their patients know about the risks and tell them they may need a tooth guard or worse.

For me, I am losing weight and forgetting the machine, I will not deal with buck teeth or the thousands of dollars fixing them. I am already relearning muscle control in my mouth just to speak.

Ty

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Permalink Reply by Ty Stetzenmeyer on March 9, 2010 at 6:25pm

Thanks for your thoughts.

What I meant by muscle control was the fact that I have to form my tongue differently to pronounce words since my teeth have moved. Frustrating.

I have lost 10 pounds 35 more to go. That will help.

My latest theory is that for the two years of being on the CPAP, my tongue has subconsciously pushed out my front teeth. Now that I have not used the mask for a few days I find my tongue continues with the tensing and thrusting out my front teeth when I am in bed. It is like a learned behavior from mask usage.

My apnea is very mild and by losing weight it may even all but go away.. I only used the machine to control snoring and that it does well.

My dentist is suggesting a TAP appliance. Have you heard anything about that? The TAP device actually pushes your lower jaw bone out to open the airways. There is no machine to push air into your mouth. I do not like it because there is a rubber device they give you to train your lower jaw muscles to go back into place in the morning. Sounds scary.

My real issue is that the medical community does not warn their patients of potential side effects. And when people complain they do not believe them. There has to be a better way. They should recommend people to have their teeth checked and measured first before they use the mask. Have them get a guard if they notice lose or sore teeth.

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Permalink Reply by John on August 22, 2011 at 3:21am

I had a severe toothache all weekend and envisaged all sorts of dental problems.    Visited dentist today and was told that I have been grinding my teeth because of stress which has caused the toothache and that such grinding can kill the nerve.   I have been using a CPAP machine for only three weeks and I assume this is causing the  grinding of my teeth.   The dentist removed  some filling from the top and lower molars to allow the teeth to better connect and thinks the toothache will settle down in a few days.   I hope it does as wearing my mask the past few nights has been very uncomfortable.

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Permalink Reply by Chris H on August 24, 2011 at 6:04pm

Hi John,  What Mask are you using?  I have ground and broken many teeth (Bruxism) I learned to check my numbers to see how my treatment was going. My machine was malfunctioning so I was having apnia even though I was using the machine. Good Sleep,Chris

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Permalink Reply by John on August 26, 2011 at 8:26am

Hi Chris,  Thanks for your message.   Using a Resmed Mirage Quattro.   I had the machine data checked about ten days ago and all seemed to be going well with the pressure.   I was getting morning headaches, sore jaw and sometimes a clicking sound when I ate.   Then the toothache arrived and dentist told me I was grinding teeth and also horror stories about destroying the nerve etc.   I stopped the CPAP a few days ago to allow my teeth time to settle down.  

I am only hiring a machine at this stage to determine if CPAP is suitable for me.   The Mirage Quattro mask was recommended by the sleep centre but now, because of grinding teeth etc, they suggest I try a nasal mask.   At the moment I have lost some of my CPAP enthusiasm.   Cheers...John

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Permalink Reply by Mary Z on August 26, 2011 at 8:39am

Johm, don't give up on CPAP.  Taking some time off to let your teeth calm down sounds sensible.

Does the dentist have any ideas about an oral appliance to prevent the grinding- I thought they were pretty common.  Some people buy an inexpensive sports mouth guard and use that.  I don't blame you for being discouraged, but there are nasal masks and nasal pillows as well as dental devices if you don't tolerate CPAP.  There is also a fairly new product out called Provent.  Do a search on the forum and google it if you're interested.  It's a valve that fits inside the nostrils. I have heard (from Dr' Rapoport in a video) that it is not very comfortable, but you can breathe through your mouth and will start breathing through your nose when you fall asleep.

Good luck, keep us posted.

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Permalink Reply by John on August 26, 2011 at 8:57am

Hi Mary, many thanks for your message.   Have read about Provent on internet but I am in Australia and don't know how to obtain this.   Going to the sleep centre on Monday to enquire about the nasal mask.  I was told that there is always the mandibular device,  but I have a tendency to gag with things such as mouthguards.   It seems best if I see how the nasal mask works out and that may be the ideal solution.

Having had a break from CPAP has definitely allowed my aching teeth to feel much better.

Sleep well...John

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