If you’ve been waking up with jaw pain, headaches, or sensitive teeth, you might be experiencing more than just stress. These symptoms are often signs of bruxism, the clenching or grinding of teeth at night. But what many people don’t realise is that bruxism and sleep apnoea can be associated.
As a sleep apnoea dentist in Brisbane, I see this connection more often than you’d expect. Understanding how these conditions overlap is key to improving both your sleep and oral health.
What Is Bruxism?
Bruxism is the bracing of the facial muscles and involuntary grinding or clenching of your teeth, typically during sleep. Also known as teeth grinding at night, it’s often caused by stress, anxiety, or medication side effects but increasingly, it’s being connected to underlying sleep disorders.
Common symptoms of Bruxism include:
- Jaw pain from grinding teeth
- Headaches, especially in the morning
- Worn, chipped, or flattened teeth
- Clicking or tight jaw muscles
If left untreated, bruxism can damage your teeth and lead to chronic jaw disorders like TMJ dysfunction.
What Is Sleep Apnoea?
Sleep apnoea is a condition where your airway becomes partially or fully blocked during sleep, causing you to stop breathing temporarily many times through the night. The most common type is Obstructive Sleep Apnoea (OSA).
Typical signs include:
- Loud, persistent snoring
- Morning headaches or dry mouth
- Daytime sleepiness or fatigue
- Mood swings or difficulty concentrating
In our Brisbane dental practice, we work with patients to identify and manage sleep-related breathing disorders that could be affecting their quality of life.
The Hidden Connection Between Bruxism and Sleep Apnoea
So, how are these two conditions connected?
Recent research suggests that teeth grinding may be the body’s response to a sleep apnoea episode. The theory is that clenching your jaw could stimulate the muscles in your airway, helping to reopen it after an obstruction. That’s potentially why it’s common to see bruxism in patients with undiagnosed sleep apnoea.
This connection is especially common in people aged 35 and over, as risk factors like stress, weight gain, and certain medications increase with age.
Effective Treatments for Bruxism and Sleep Apnoea in Brisbane
The good news? Both conditions are highly treatable especially when they’re addressed together.
At our Chermside, North Lakes, Greenslopes or Birtinya clinics, we offer:
- Custom night splints to protect teeth from grinding
- Oral appliance therapy to treat OSA by keeping the upper airway open
- Personalised care plans for long-term relief and better sleep
If you’re searching for bruxism treatment in Brisbane or want to explore options for sleep apnoea management, you don’t have to go it alone.
When to See a Sleep Therapy Dentist
If you’re experiencing:
- Frequent teeth grinding at night
- Sore or tight jaw muscles in the morning
- Loud snoring or interrupted sleep
- Ongoing fatigue or lack of focus
…it’s time to chat with Dr Adam Teo who understands how these issues can impact your overall health.
Get Help Today
Whether you’re struggling with jaw pain, poor sleep, or unexplained teeth damage, a proper diagnosis is the first step toward lasting relief. If you’re based in Brisbane and suspect a link between your sleep and your oral health, we’re here to help.
Book a consultation today to learn more about how our team can help with bruxism and sleep apnoea treatment in Brisbane.
Dr Adam Teo
After earning his dental degree from Griffith University in 2010, Dr. Adam Teo pursued advanced studies in sleep medicine, completing a Master of Science in Medicine (Sleep Medicine) from the University of Sydney. He is a member of the Australian Dental Association (ADA) and Sleep Health Foundation. He is also a Fellow of Dental Sleep Medicine (FDSM) and is Co-Chair of the national Australian Sleep Association (ASA) Dental Sleep Medicine Council.
Dr. Adam passionately believes that good sleep makes life good, working hard to grow and hone his practice to be able to provide quality sleep therapy.
