Sore jaw since beginning cpap

[cate1898]

Would love to know if others have had this problem and if so what they did to fix it.

Since starting CPAP Sept 11th I've noticed that I awake with some jaw pain, more particularly on the right side. I think it is something to do with keeping my tongue at the roof of my mouth to sleep with the CPAP mask on, but not sure. I sort of feel like I am putting my jaw into a slightly unnatural position with my teeth apart, but still keeping my mouth closed.

I'm thinking maybe I should get something like the dentist has made me to wear at night as I have been a longtime nighttime teeth grinder. I won't wear the ones the dentist makes me as they are quite rigid and cut me where the inside edges rest on whatever bone that is inside of the lower teeth (can't remember what the dentist called it). Perhaps I'll get one similar to the mouthguards my kid wore while playing hockey.

Any ideas?

[PoolQ]

It sounds like you are doing a great job keeping your mouth closed, maybe too great a job. You might try a chin strap to off load some of the effort from your muscles. You already have some issue with grinding and you may be developing an issue with clinching your teeth that is making you jaw sore.

[Shastzi]

Sometimes I use a BrainPad athletic mouth protector (molds to upper and lower teeth)
That will keep your jaw lined up, prevent bruxing (grinding)
And it's less that $20

Worth a try.

[Doctor]

Would love to know if others have had this problem and if so what they did to fix it.

Since starting CPAP Sept 11th I've noticed that I awake with some jaw pain, more particularly on the right side. I think it is something to do with keeping my tongue at the roof of my mouth to sleep with the CPAP mask on, but not sure. I sort of feel like I am putting my jaw into a slightly unnatural position with my teeth apart, but still keeping my mouth closed.

I'm thinking maybe I should get something like the dentist has made me to wear at night as I have been a longtime nighttime teeth grinder. I won't wear the ones the dentist makes me as they are quite rigid and cut me where the inside edges rest on whatever bone that is inside of the lower teeth (can't remember what the dentist called it). Perhaps I'll get one similar to the mouthguards my kid wore while playing hockey.

Any ideas?

Some people clench their jaw during the night. Go to WalMart and purchase the "Doctor's Night Guard" for under $22 (it's twice as expensive elsewhere). Mold it and use it. Bet you'll get relief.

[cate1898]

Some people clench their jaw during the night. Go to WalMart and purchase the "Doctor's Night Guard" for under $22 (it's twice as expensive elsewhere). Mold it and use it. Bet you'll get relief.

Wish I'd seen your post before buying a mouthguard cause I bought the Walmart Equate brand POC which did work but moulded over my teeth leaving far too much in the middle making it awkward for my tongue.

It did help but not 100%, maybe 75?

I will go out to Walmart again and check out the Doctor's Night Guard to see if it will mould better than the no name brand.

[Shastzi]

Keep on being persistant!

[OpalRose]

Since cate1898 is headed back to Walmart for another dental guard, I started to wonder if we ever give thought about all the extra/necessary stuff we buy to help us with our therapy and comfort (Not counting actual machine)?

Snuggle hose covers, hose holders, new bed pillows, nasal sprays, nasal gels, distilled water, mouth/dental guards, eye protection, battery backup, adjustable beds, bed wedges, sleep aids, anxiety meds, etc.

I'm sure all the above cost way more than our CPAP machines!
All I see is $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$.

[cate1898]

wow OpalRose you are so right! I only have $1000 lifetime coverage over the $645 the government supplies. So I'll be out of coverage for the rest of my life within months of buying my own machine for sure!! At least my insurance doesn't care where I buy it, Canada, US or online as long as the invoice has my name and address.