Bruxism, more typically known as teeth grinding, is a sleep disorder that afflicts an estimated 8 percent of adults. The condition regularly associates with children, but just because a child grinds their teeth does not mean they will act as adults. Alternately, you did not have to grind your teeth as a child to do it as an adult.
What teeth grinding is also associated with snoring, as well as obstructive sleep apnea, fatigue, stress, smoking, and alcohol consumption. Although sporadic teeth grinding is not a big deal, if you suffer frequently, you are more susceptible to earaches, headaches, busted teeth, and jaw pain. When you combine this along with the effects of snoring, the compound can have quite an adverse influence on your quality of life.
Causes of Bruxism
The most significant connection between teeth grinding and snoring is that they have similar underlying causes. There is an excellent reason why stress is often called the “silent killer.” It affects you in many ways you cannot begin to comprehend fully. Anxiety and nervousness can reveal themselves through grinding teeth and snore.
Nasal congestion restricts normal breathing, as do nasal polyps, which can contribute to poor sleep quality, mouth guard for teeth grinding, and snoring. Alcohol intake and overweight or obesity are two key contributors, as well.
Interestingly, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is implied to be one of the most common connectors. OSA can cause both snoring and bruxism. Daytime drowsiness offers causes an afflicted person to drink high levels of caffeine. High caffeine intake puts you at high risk of bruxism.
Of course, snoring also withholds you of quality sleep, so you rely on caffeine to get through the day. Since caffeine raises your risk of teeth-grinding, then as a sleep-deprived snorer, you are at greater risk of this dysfunction, even if OSA is not a factor. So, dealing with the snoring might lessen or defeat teeth grinding.
Watch a video for suggestions on how to stop grinding your teeth at night.