08/16/2026
😴 “I Just Need an Occlusal Guard… Why Are You Asking About Sleep Apnea?”
If you clench or grind your teeth at night, an occlusal guard may help protect your teeth from wear, fractures, and other damage. 🦷
But if you also have risk factors or signs of obstructive sleep apnea, we may recommend evaluating those concerns before moving forward with an occlusal guard.
Why? Nighttime clenching and grinding can sometimes occur along with sleep-disordered breathing.
While an occlusal guard can help protect your teeth, it does not treat sleep apnea. In fact, if sleep apnea is undiagnosed or untreated, a traditional occlusal guard may negatively affect the airway in some patients and potentially worsen sleep-disordered breathing. That’s why it’s important for us to first assess your airway and potential risk factors.
Some things that may make us ask more questions include:
💤 Loud or frequent snoring
💤 Waking up gasping or choking
💤 Excessive daytime sleepiness
💤 Morning headaches
💤 Witnessed pauses in breathing while sleeping
💤 Other risk factors identified during your health history or exam
Our goal isn't just to protect your teeth — it's to look at the whole picture and make sure we're recommending the right care for you.
If you have risk factors for sleep apnea, we offer FREE airway consultations to help determine your next step.
Have questions? Talk with our team — we're happy to help!
📞 810-733-2700
🌐 myflushingdentist.com
