Grinding/Clenching and Sleep Apnea

Did you know that grinding and clenching has been linked to Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA)? Approximately 1 in 15 Americans have OSA but not everyone has been diagnosed. The significance of that number is there are at least 1 in 15 Americans with an undiagnosed condition (OSA) that will lead to high blood pressure, depression, diabetes, weight gain, or cancer. Grinding and clenching are early and continuing signs of OSA since the body struggles for air when asleep. When the body struggles and gasps for air, it triggers the jaw to reopen the airway, and grinding/clenching occurs during this process.