Are snoring and teeth grinding associated with each other?
Numerous things impact how well you sleep and how you feel and function the next day. We’ve provided many articles relating to sleep and snoring, which is arguably the biggest and most common contributor to poor quality sleep, but what about teeth grinding? Do snoring and grinding your teeth in your sleep go hand-in-hand?
Is there an effective mouth guard for snoring and teeth grinding?
What is Bruxism?
Bruxism, or teeth grinding, is a common condition that causes involuntary clenching, grinding, or gnashing of the teeth, most often during sleep, i.e. “sleep bruxism” (though some people do it when they are awake as well).
Up to half of us will clench or grind our teeth at times, yet at least 5% of Australians are regular tooth grinders. Habitual bruxism is most common in children (14-17% of whom grind) and young adults (15% of whom grind).
Most people are unaware they suffer from bruxism and are only alerted to the fact by their sleeping partner. Many parents also will identify the problem in their children as they observe them sleeping.
Causes of bruxism include:
- Stress, anxiety, and depression
- Concentration or anger (if clenching during the waking hours)
- Alcohol consumption
- Tobacco use
- Caffeine consumption
- Prescription drugs – including certain antidepressants and antipsychotic drugs
- Snoring and obstructive sleep apnoea
People who both drink alcohol and smoke cigarettes are twice as likely to grind their teeth during sleep.
Teeth grinding in children is also very common, though most will outgrow the habit. In younger children, teeth grinding usually arises due to pain when teeth are erupting, though emotional concerns, stress, and some medical conditions (including ADHD) can contribute.
There are numerous signs and symptoms of bruxism:
- Cracked tooth enamel
- Chipped or broken teeth
- Extreme wear and tear on teeth (beyond what’s expected for one’s age)
- Extremely sensitive teeth (to heat, cold, and pressure)
- Tooth indentations on the tongue
- Swollen areas or ulcers on inner cheeks from biting
- Sore jaws and neck muscles
- Aching on the teeth, sides of the face, and temples
- Facial stiffness
- Soreness and aching when chewing
- Chronic headache, ear pain, and/or pain in the temporomandibular joint (TMJ)
- Clicking or popping TMJ
- Loss of normal movement and function of the TMJ
- Enlarged jaw muscles (which can alter the face shape)
- Loose or lost teeth
- Damaged dental crowns, fillings, and implants
Chronic bruxism can lead to TMJ disorder. This results from an imbalance between the jaw joints and it can develop as a consequence of prolonged, habitual teeth grinding and/or clenching. At the same time, the pain and discomfort of TMJ disorder can itself cause stress, which exacerbates the problem, as grinding the teeth can help offset the pain.
Bruxism management may take many forms, including tooth damage repair, risk factor assessment, bite splints, stress management therapy, relaxation and cognitive behavioural therapy, hypnotherapy, and massage.
Are Teeth Grinding and Snoring Related?
Yes! Snoring does not cause teeth grinding, and teeth grinding does not cause snoring – but they are correlated.
Published in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, a 2020 study identified the association between bruxism and a higher intensity of simple (non-OSA) snoring, and that both conditions were worse when the snorer/grinder slept on their back.
Medical researchers believe that episodes of bruxism are associated with microarousals from sleep, as well as altered sleep patterns. According to the US Sleep Foundation, increased cardiovascular and neurological activity both immediately precede teeth grinding, which may explain the association between bruxism and snoring/OSA, which also causes temporary interruptions to sleep.
Most sleep bruxism occurs early in the sleep cycle, during lighter, non-REM sleep. Snoring disrupts deeper sleep, and the more time you spend in those lighter states of sleep, the greater the likelihood (and opportunity) to grind your teeth.
Furthermore, studies have demonstrated that people who have OSA (obstructive sleep apnoea) are prone to bruxism.
While the exact cause of the association between snoring and teeth grinding remains unknown, the complex relationship between the two conditions has certainly been identified and studies continue to hopefully conclude a direct connection between them.
Your teeth grinding can be almost as annoying for your sleep partner as your snoring is!
Addressing both your snoring and your teeth grinding is important to help improve your sleep quality and overall health and well-being. (Your dentist will thank you, too).
Common Bruxism Remedies Include:
- Relaxation Techniques
- Stress Management
- Sleep on Your Side
- Supplements including Magnesium, Vitamin B5, Vitamin D & Calcium
- Regular Dental Checkups
- Use SnoreMD!
Can SnoreMD Work if You Also Grind Your Teeth?
Yes! SnoreMD is not just fantastic for helping to stop snoring; it can also be used by people who grind their teeth.
SnoreMD is made with ample cushioning material so that the teeth of your upper and lower jaws do not contact each other, even if you clench in your sleep. This means that you physically can’t grind your teeth while you are using SnoreMD. As such, this revolutionary anti-snoring device doesn’t just offer a budget-friendly, convenient, and effective snoring solution, but can, at the same time, replace night guards which are used only for teeth grinding.
Your teeth grinding can be almost as annoying for your sleep partner as your snoring is!
Snoring & Teeth Grinding issues? Try SnoreMD! There is no better way to improve your sleep, reduce or stop snoring, and mitigate the side effects of grinding your teeth at the same time. Recommended by sleep specialists and physicians, SnoreMD is widely used all over the world by adults of all ages. Experience the difference for yourself – discover SnoreMD here and order yours today!
