Many conditions can affect your ability to get a good nights rest including sleep apnea insomnia and temporo mandibular joint TMJ disorders In this article Im going to outline how TMJ disorders can impact sleep and also what you can do about it First lets take a look at what TMJ disorders are
So What is a TMJ Disorder
A TMJ disorder occurs when the temporo mandibular joint is damaged or functioning improperly The temporo mandibular joint connects your lower jaw or mandible to your upper jaw Its one of the most complex joints in your body allowing for both lateral and vertical movement If the joint is damaged it can cause a whole host of problems and may affect your sleep
TMJ disorders have also been linked to sleep apnea However keep in mind that correlation does not prove causation While the two conditions often occur alongside one another were still are not sure how they are linked
Before jumping into how TMJ disorders can affect your sleep and whether this related to sleep apnea lets briefly review some common TMJ disorder symptoms that you should watch for
Common TMJ Disorder Symptoms
Jaw pain is one of the most common TMJ disorder symptoms but far from the only one And in some cases those suffering from this disorder may not experience jaw pain Either way there are many other common symptoms to watch for Lets look at some
A popping or clicking sound when the jaw is moved
Difficulty closing or opening the jaw including locked jaw
Tension headaches
Earaches or pain behind the eyes
Difficulty chewing
Pain caused by a TMJ often originates in or around the jaw and then spreads through the face neck and shoulders Headaches earaches and pain behind the eyes may occur as the muscles connected to the temporomandibular joint tense up and malfunction Another common TMJ disorder symptom is bruxism or teeth grinding This symptom in particular can impact your ability to sleep
If you find yourself suffering from the above conditions you may be experiencing a TMJ disorder And if youve been having trouble getting a good nights rest problems with your TMJ could be the culprit Lets take a look at how TMJ disorders can affect your sleep
Can a Jaw Problem Really Affect My Sleep
Many different things can affect your sleep Stressed at work You might have trouble falling asleep Got a headache It can be difficult to doze through the pain The same is true when it comes to jaw pain Youll have an easier time falling asleep if youre not in pain If your TMJ disorder is causing headaches earaches or pain behind the eyes falling asleep could also be more difficult
Its also difficult to treat TMJ pain with over the counter pain medications Sure a few pills might dull the aches but unless the underlying condition thats causing your disorder is addressed the pain quickly come back Even if you manage to fall asleep the pain might wake you up once it returns You could and tossing and turning hoping for the pain to go awayThen theres bruxism This condition is a common TMJ disorder symptom and can also interrupt your sleep Bruxism occurs when your jaw muscles clench exerting pressure on your teeth jaw and joints You may end up grinding your teeth exacerbating damage to the joints and your teeth Loud teeth grinding could also make it more difficult for your loved ones to fall and stay asleep
If your TMJ disorder is causing stress anxiety or making it difficult to eat this could also affect your sleep You may have trouble both falling asleep and staying asleep
The Link Between TMJ Disorders and Sleep Apnea
Then theres sleep apnea This condition may be affecting 22 million or more Americans at any given time Studies have found that obstructive sleep apnea and TMJ disorders are often meaning that they occur alongside one another
Were still not positive why this is the case However misalignment with the jaw and other issues associated with TMJ disorders may make it more likely that the airways will collapse And if airways are blocked or restricted loud snoring and even temporary choking will likely set in
Those who suffer from sleep apnea will suffer from reduced oxygen flow to the brain and will experience lower quality sleep Patients suffering from this condition frequently report daytime tiredness irritability memory issues and other problems Loved ones may also struggle to catch a good nights rest as well disturbed by their partners snoring
Sleep apnea may also stunt childhood development If your child is suffering from this condition its imperative that you talk to a specialist right away
Getting a Restful Nights Sleep
Both TMJ disorders and sleep apnea usually require separate often concurrent treatment However if one condition is impacting the other treating one condition could also improve the other For example if your TMJ disorder is causing airways to collapse by treating the disorder you may be able to reduce sleep apnea
That said youll still often have to treat sleep apnea and TMJ disorders separately A TMJ disorder can often be treated with bite orthotics which can be used to properly align your jaw and reduce strain Physical therapy anti inflammation medicines and joint exercises can also help alleviate your disorder
Treating sleep apnea through the use of a CPAP machine is common This machine will ensure positive airflow which will keep the airways open Some patients find CPAP machines uncomfortable Bite orthotics can also be an effective sleep apnea treatment holding the tongue in place and encouraging airways to stay open
Lifestyle changes may result in relief for both sleep apnea and TMJ disorders If you are suffering from a TMJ disorder for example you should avoid eating hard foods Both sleep apnea and TMD pain have been found to be associated with obesity Losing weight and leading a healthier lifestyle may reduce risks for both conditions
By treating these conditions youll improve your quality of sleep and thus your quality of life
Make Sure You Take Your Sleep Seriously
Millions of people suffer from sleep disorders each year Fortunately they are in most cases treatable You might not think that tossing and turning throughout the night is a big deal However every chronic sleep disorder should be treated
Both sleep apnea and TMJ disorders can have a big impact on your life Beyond feeling tired you may be less productive at work and irritability can strain professional and personal relationships If you are suffering from sleep apnea a TMJ disorder insomnia or any other condition that is affecting your sleep you should talk to a specialist
Alaska Sleep Clinic works closely with local Dentists in Anchorage Fairbanks Soldotna and Wasilla to help our patients treat their sleep apnea in the easiest way for them individually whether it is with CPAP or an oral appliance This is one of the many reasons why Alaska Sleep Clinic is the BBBs 2018 Winner of the Torch Award for Ethics To find out more and get your free sleep assessment call Alaska Sleep Clinic today
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About the Author Ken Marshall is a huge fan of living the best life possible His health is extremely important to him and he currently enjoys helping Restore TMJ Sleep Therapy a Houston based TMD and sleep apnea treatment centered dental practice educate readers and patients about TMJ disorders orofacial pain and sleep disordered breathing
