CPAP/mouthguard question

I have sleep apnea and use a CPAP machine.  Can't sleep without it, but I am having a problem with my teeth.  I guess the way I breathe forces my jaw forward.  This causes my bottom teeth to press against the back of my top teeth (who knew I had a bit of an overbite???).  It is really painful sometimes and it's actually creating a i bit of a gap between my front teeth.  I've been trying to find a good mouth guard to help this.    

I've bought a couple from Shopper's drug mart, but found they only covered the top teeth, and the bottom of it is rock hard and causes pain in my bottom teeth.

Then I tried a boxing one - cheap and it sucks!

Then I tried a hockey one for people with braces.  Really smushy, but it forces my jaw to open too wide and hurts my gums.

I'm back to using the first one I got that I have actually bitten through the thin spots. 

I'm hoping that someone has a solution other than going to the dentist.  I know they would have great solutions, but I can't afford a dental appliance right now.  Any other options would be appreciated!

Laura

I am a bad grinder and the only thing that has worked for me was from the dentist, I get a new one every year due to my grinding ways

Good Luck
Tobi

I would call local area colleges/universities with a dental program.  Most, if not all are always looking for people to work on. 

They do an intial exam to figure out the problem and then offer the solution.  They do offer mouth guards and you can buy them for a fraction of what a dentist would charge because you're only paying for the materials used.

My mom got a full upper & lower denture at George Brown for $300!

Hi Laura,

My sister was having the same problem, she went to the dentist and had one made.  Don't know the price but it wasn't very expensive.  They make moulds so it'll fit just right.  I too have sleep apnea, picking up my cpap machine Wednesday.  Looking forward to having a good nights sleep.  Have you had surgery yet?
Laurie

Hi Laurie,

I haven't had surgery yet.  Still waiting to meet with the surgeon.  Good to know that it wasn't that expensive.  thanks  :)  I can't sleep without my CPAP.  Was a bit weird at first, but now I actually find it soothing!  Who knew?  LOL

Laura

Are you wearing a full face mask or just the nasal one?  I grinded badly but because I was using a full face mask, I wasn't allowed to wear any appliances in my  mouth.

Just the nasal mask.  I guess the air being forced down is making my jaw push forward.  I know that that is what the dental appliance you can get for sleep apnea does, but it is really hard on my teeth!

I have a dental appliance for grinding but don't wear it unless I absolutely have to. My grinding seems to be related to stress. Like you, I've grinded my teeth to the point that they've shifted and I have a sore jaw all day. (Just so you know, my teeth go back to their normal position when the grinding stops). When I find myself grinding I take sleeping pills or something to calm myself before I sleep for a couple of days and I find the grinding stops on its own.

I would try a nasal mask and see if that helps.

Me too, when I used to use to have a machine.  And I found when stressed, the grinding was awful.  Just awful.   There is hope dear, when you are ready to leave your machine behind, then maybe the grinding will stop too :)

Bonnie