What are the causes of bruxism and clenching?

There are many factors that can lead to grinding and clenching of teeth. It can often be a combination of factors such as missing teeth, over erupted teeth, heavily filled teeth, poor bite or stress.

What damage is caused by grinding and clenching of the teeth?

The teeth are generally only in contact when eating. Grinding and clenching means that there is much more contact of the teeth for long periods which lead to increased wear, increasing likelihood of fracture of the teeth and even loosening of the teeth if gum disease is present. If you have more complex fillings, veneers, crowns, bridges and implant retained crowns and bridges. Bruxism or clenching is more likely to cause early failure of these restorations. Headaches and Migraines are also associated with bruxism due to muscle tiredness and build up of muscle toxins.

What can we do to help with bruxism and clenching?

We can make a custom made night guard made of hard plastic which fits snugly on the teeth. It can either be worn on the lower or upper jaws. The night guard protects the teeth from grinding and clenching and can help stop it so the guard can be phased out.

Snoring is caused by a decrease in the muscle tone in the pharynx (throat) during sleep. This allows the throat wall to collapse in response to the reduced pressure in the throat when breathing in. The air flow becomes turbulent causing the sound that we recognise as snoring. This can sometimes become very loud causing disturbed sleep for partners and also embarrassment.

If you are overweight, regularly drinking alcohol, ageing, smoke or have enlarged tonsils these can all exacerbate snoring.

How many people suffer from snoring?

Snoring is very common; nearly half of all adults will snore at sometime during their sleep. 30% of adults and 60% of men over 60 years of age are habitual snorers. (Olson et al 1995)

Snoring is more common in men and post menopausal women due to the fat deposition around the upper body and neck. The prevalence of snoring in post menopausal women is similar to men. (Resta et al 2003, Orth et al 2007)

How can we help with snoring?

Dental appliances called Mandibular Repositioning Devices (MRD’s) which hold the lower jaw (mandible) in a protrusive (forward) position are very effective in reducing snoring.

The Somnowell MRD is adjustable by the patient, very robust and least bulky of the MRD’s.

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A silencer is made of a strong plastic which fits snugly over the upper and lower teeth and has interchangeable carbon fibre connecting bars.

These appliances are custom made to provide the best fit, comfort and reduced snoring possible.

  

Sleep apnoea is caused by the total closure of the pharyngeal (throat) wall due to the weakening of the pharyngeal wall allowing it to collapse during sleep. This can last for long periods causing reduced oxygen to the brain and body.  As the oxygen levels fall natural, protective mechanisms in the brain wake the patient up and so they start breathing again. This is call obstructive sleep apnoea. (OSA)

If you are overweight, smoking, drinking alcohol and ageing can exacerbate the problem.

How many people suffer from Obstructive sleep apnoea?

The prevalence of OSA in men is estimated to be 4% and in women 2%. As more people become overweight these figures are rising.

Can obstructive sleep apnoea be harmful?

OSA is linked with high blood pressure, strokes, heart attacks, acid reflux, diabetes and weight gain. Due to disturbed sleep, sufferers are more prone to have car accidents, not perform as well and generally feel more tired during the day.

How can we help with sleep apnoea?

Dental appliances called mandibular repositioning devices (MRDs) which hold the lower jaw (mandible) in a protrusive position are very effective in reducing effects of mild sleep apnoea.

For severe obtrusive sleep apnoea, the gold standard treatment is continuous positive airway pressue. (CPAP)