The signs we look for
Heavily worn teeth from nighttime grinding, a scalloped tongue border, a large tongue relative to the arch, enlarged tonsils, a narrow palate, and chronic dry mouth from mouth breathing.
Why grinding and apnea travel together
Clenching often occurs as the body's response to an airway obstruction during sleep. Treating grinding without evaluating the airway can miss the underlying driver.
Oral appliance therapy
For diagnosed mild to moderate obstructive sleep apnea, or for patients who cannot tolerate CPAP, a custom mandibular advancement device holds the lower jaw forward to keep the airway open. Diagnosis comes from a physician and a sleep study, not from us.
Key takeaways
- •Grinding can be an airway symptom.
- •Oral appliances are an alternative for CPAP-intolerant patients.
- •Diagnosis requires a physician-ordered sleep study.
This article is general information, not a diagnosis. Your situation deserves an exam.