My teeth have shifted ... suspected the use of CPAP MACINE

Hi there and I am not sure if this thread is already exist or active

I have been started using cpap machine about 4 years ago due mainly to my sleep aphnia and snoring
I also had been suffering very bad headaches( suspected migraines but never proven) and chronic AFIB ( atrial fibrillation)
These health problems are attributed to my age ( I am 67) and also weight gain ( I am 106 kg at the height of 179cm)
My CPAP MACINE IS PHILIPHS RESPIRONIX SYSTEM ONE WITH HUMIDIFYER AND CONTROOL MODULE
I USE nasal only face mask which just covers my nose
My headaches has not disappeared and still regularly torchure me on the daily basis and my AFIB is still there despite three Cardioversions and stabilising my further weight gain!!
Losing weight I found the most difficult tast of all and went through maybe 6 types of diets with no positive results!!
However recently another sinister thing started happening with my teeth: one morning I woke up and found that my byte has changed dramatically!! Just closing my moth became suddenly very uncomfortable with my lower front teeth grinding against the upper teeth!!!
My mask is not very tight just mild tightness so I don't think it's mask tightness which causing it!!! But apart from CPAP MASK there are no other factors I can think about interfereing with my teeth from outside!!
I visit my periodontist twice a year for regular cleaning and I see my dentist once a year hence maintening my dental health!!!
Anybody can offer an advice here???
Any feedback will be appreciated

Thanks very much

Since my main health problems still there after such long period of using thus mask I am no longer sure if I should continue?!?!?
Of course it vertuslly eliminated my sleep aphnia which is good but my other health problems still there....

Welcome to the forum.

Specifically which nasal mask are you using?

I have been on cpap coming 11 years this May and my teeth are still like they were when I started and I am the same age you are.
No movement at all and using a nasal pillow mask all the time.

With chronic AFIB....you really don't want to be stopping cpap. Those apnea events put stress on the heart.

CHANGE MASKS.
My first mask was moving my front teeth, so I looked for a mask that fit better.
There are many styles of mask.
Never use one that harms you.
I found the cloth masks from Sleepweaver put the least pressure on my face.
I used the Elan.

Please see a dentist (again) because age can definitely loosen teeth and sleeping on any surface will make it more obvious - your mask likely has nothing to do with it.

Yes. Your mask CAN most definitely move your teeth. But it depends on the mask. I use a nasal pillow mask and it was absolutely moving my teeth. As a TMJ patient who went through orthodontics and surgery, I am very invested in keeping my teeth their current positions. I use a custom-made-by-my-dentist mouth guard.

(And there are threads on this board regarding this - search "mouth guard.")

The simplest thing to do is get a sports mouth guard that you can "heat and bite."

Or you can get your dentist to make one for you.

Lisa

There are masks that either don't put any pressure on the teeth or pressure in a different area.

Check out the Bleep that I use....no head gear at all...nothing anywhere to put pressure anywhere on the teeth.

I had the same problem with not only my teeth but my jaw as well when using the dreamwear FFM. I've just stuck with Dreamwear nasal and an extensive scunci mouthtape custom leak protocol which admittedly is also somewhat damaging in that I'm constantly tearing my face and lips off but the lesser of the two evils.

Has your thyroid been checked regarding the heart rhythm issues? I've had a lot of issues with my bite. My sleep apnea was diagnosed by my dentist. I had reported symptoms to the doctors including migraine doctors but they never addressed it. I have a custom night guard from the TMJ oral surgeon - had those before sleep apnea.

Mind posting a picture of your bite?

Put your teeth together, smile big, and take a photo. I'd be curious to see what's going on.

I had my top front teeth move forward within 6 months of starting XPAP. The space between my front teeth kept increasing.

I already had a lower night guard for TMJD. My dentist made a new night guard for my upper teeth and a light night guard for my lower teeth. Now I have top and bottom night guards. Since the new night guards have been made no further tooth movement.

I don't think this is something everybody would get and I think it is probably more about how the various parts of your mouth react to the stress of the equipment. Has anything changed with respect to your nask?If any part of your mask is sitting on the area above your teeth or gums, the sleeping you might try to fix it.

If you don't want to replace your mask, try playing with the fit ..... higher. ...... lower ..... looser ..... see if you can improve this. If you can or want to, change masks ..... you have received some good suggestions for this.

My night guards were custom made and pretty pricey. More than a couple od masks. Because I have TNJD I can't buy a drugstore nightguard, I demolished one in a matter of nights.

Do a little detective work and see if you can fix it.

At a certain age one should cease attempting the arabesque.
Falling on one's face can damage your teeth.

Hi Sasha2020,

My teeth also shifted. I was mortified. I had always had "perfect teeth".

I can't be sure if it was the mask specifically or the way I began using my tongue to use the mask and keep my mouth closed. I wear (and love) the dreamwear cushion.

I reacted to it pretty quickly. Even so, I still had to wear braces for a year. I just wore railroad track silver and I had fun with the colored rubber bands. It wasn't so horrible. I did learn the importance of dental WAX.

My teeth went back in shape and because I have an overachiever personality the dentist decided I was a candidate for a permanent wire. (this requires A LOT of extra hygiene and work ... A LOT or you can get in trouble fast) I also sleep each night in retainers which I love as they really made keeping my mouth closed very easy. I wish I had just had molds of my teeth made when I started and then worn the retainers each night.

... but who could have guessed?

I think it's rather rare for cpap or apnea to cause teeth to shift but I wanted to let you know that you're (probably) not crazy and it can and does happen.

Fortunately, there's a cure! I'll never complain again about taking a cure. No matter the cost or pain.

(There's no pain like knowing that there is no cure. )

Good Luck!

Cpapian wrote: ↑

Sun Mar 29, 2020 4:57 pm

I had my top front teeth move forward within 6 months of starting XPAP. The space between my front teeth kept increasing.

I already had a lower night guard for TMJD. My dentist made a new night guard for my upper teeth and a light night guard for my lower teeth. Now I have top and bottom night guards. Since the new night guards have been made no further tooth movement.

I don't think this is something everybody would get and I think it is probably more about how the various parts of your mouth react to the stress of the equipment. Has anything changed with respect to your nask?If any part of your mask is sitting on the area above your teeth or gums, the sleeping you might try to fix it.

If you don't want to replace your mask, try playing with the fit ..... higher. ...... lower ..... looser ..... see if you can improve this. If you can or want to, change masks ..... you have received some good suggestions for this.

My night guards were custom made and pretty pricey. More than a couple od masks. Because I have TNJD I can't buy a drugstore nightguard, I demolished one in a matter of nights.

Do a little detective work and see if you can fix it.

Adding this in case it might help - I saw a specialist dentist and she recommended the upper and lower night guards. It was not cheap. I have been considering the treatment plan. I'm glad to know that it may help.

" . . . No matter the cost . . . "
If the cost is a factor, it would be cheaper to try a Sleepweaver mask.
It takes patience, but the lightness is incredible.