Have you ever experienced that good burn when you’re lifting weights? Now, imagine how you would feel if you did bicep curls all night!
Sounds crazy, right?
But that’s exactly what the muscles in your jaw, head, neck, and throat experience when you clench or grind your teeth! Sleep experts have known for quite some time that there is a correlation between jaw parafunction — such as bruxism, commonly called teeth grinding — and sleep-disordered breathing. Obstructive sleep apnea is a condition where the soft tissue of the mouth and throat may fall into the airway during sleep, which decreases airflow and oxygen to the lungs. Our brain wants the oxygen it needs and will trigger the muscles in this area to reposition the head and neck to allow for a clearer airway. In addition, the body may continually move as a way to get in a better position for airflow. Unfortunately, our teeth sometimes get in the way of this reposturing, leading to chipped teeth — unless you use a protective measure like a nightguard. Deep-sea free divers experience a potentially similar phenomenon. These adrenalin junkies train to hold their breath for beyond 4 minutes at a time. They report severe
What does deep-sea diving have to do with clenching your teeth? They may be more similar than you think!
clenching of the jaws when the diaphragm contracts in an involuntary attempt to pull in air. In fact, many competitive divers use occlusal mouth guards to protect against these movements so their teeth don’t suffer. If you are a deep-sea free diver or a deep sleep obstructer, we can offer relief from the compounding effects of oxygen deprivation. Dr. Sabo’s team will walk you through the many options available for sleep apnea and jaw pain treatment, including therapies, CPAP machines, mouth guards, and more. Our goal is to find the treatment option that works best for you and your lifestyle while getting you the sleep you deserve. Learn more by calling 951-769-1616.
Disjointed Sleep The Connection Between Jaw Clenching and Sleep- Disordered Breathing
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