Why You Clench & Grind While You Sleep 😬💤 | Could It Be Your Airway?

Do you wake up with tight or sore cheeks and jaw?
Do you notice bite marks or ridges inside your cheeks?

You’re not alone—and the problem might not be your jaw itself.

In this episode, we explore a fascinating and important connection between:

• Sleep clenching and grinding (a.k.a. sleep bruxism)

• And airway obstruction—like nasal congestion or narrowed windpipe

One potential explanation?
A neurological reflex called the Trigemino-Cardiac Reflex (TCR).

Here’s how the chain of events may unfold:

1️⃣ Airway obstruction or poor breathing during sleep
2️⃣ Decreased oxygen levels in the blood
3️⃣ Your body compensates by increasing effort to breathe
4️⃣ This effort boosts heart rate, brain activity, and muscle tension
5️⃣ The TCR reflex kicks in to lower heart and breathing rate,
but also stimulates the trigeminal nerve (which controls jaw and facial muscles)
6️⃣ Result? → Involuntary clenching and grinding of your jaw during sleep

Even if you don’t have obvious airway symptoms, subtle breathing issues can silently contribute to night-time bruxism over time.

If you’re experiencing sleep clenching or grinding, consider asking your doctor to check for:

• Sleep-disordered breathing

• Nasal or airway obstruction

• Sleep apnea screening

📖 Reference:
Chowdhury et al., Frontiers in Neurology, 2017.
“Is the Trigemino-Cardiac Reflex a Missing Link?”

💬 Let us know your thoughts in the comments.
Happy Rehab!

Cheers,
Metro Physiotherapy Channel
🌐 www.metrophysiotherapy.com.au