Link Between Sleep Apnea & TMJ Syndrome Treatments

Sep 13, 2021

Maybe it's time you started asking some serious questions about your overall health, especially if you have been experiencing pain in your jaw, migraine-like headaches, and other unpleasant symptoms of temporomandibular disorder (TMD) and sleep apnea.

Instances of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) are prevalent among people living with temporomandibular joint (TMJ) syndrome. By a rough estimate, almost half of TMD patients are also prone to having sleep issues. Have you ever considered whether your persisting jaw pain has something to do with a disruptive respiratory sleep disorder? Let's dive right into the intimate relationship between TMJ and sleep apnea.

We provide customized treatments for sleep apnea in Childersburg.

The Link Between TMJ Syndrome and Sleep Apnea

If you are suffering from OSA, the tissues in your oral cavity and throat collapse to cause an airway blockage while you're asleep. These disruptions in your regular breathing pattern affect your health in various ways. However, one of the most easily overlooked effects of sleep apnea involving the automatic forward shift of your lower jaw every time your breathing is disrupted can be the most problematic. As episodes of sleep apnea can occur many times through the night, the constant movement of your jaw can exert a lot of stress on your TMJ. Hence, chronic OSA can cause TMJ disorders or make your persisting jaw pain even worse.

At times, symptoms of TMD and sleep apnea can overlap since they share mostly similar health risks. Suppose you have a misaligned jaw; it can restrict your airway and make it harder for your throat to stay transparent while you're sound asleep. This condition also puts excessive strain on your TMJ.

Chronic fatigue syndrome is also common in both conditions. It is characterized by unexplained severe exhaustion without any underlying medical issue that rest cannot cure. So can intricately connect the root cause of your TMJ syndrome to your sleep apnea.

Relieve Your TMJ Pain and Improve Your Sleep Quality

TMD can sometimes correct by itself, but sleep apnea won't. However, it's ideal to seek TMJ and sleep solutions as soon as possible. The quicker you start, the faster you can ease your TMJ-related discomfort to get better quality sleep.

Experts at our TMJ treatment center in Childersburg can potentially treat both conditions with custom-made oral braces. They shift your jaw slightly forward, allowing your TMJ to relax. Jaw repositioning can also help keep your airway open and reduce severe sleep apnea symptoms. Gentle massage and stretching of your TMJ also help lessen the pain in your jaw. At the same time, weight loss and sleeping on your sides can improve your sleep quality.

It's hard to get the most out of your life when you're constantly tired and in pain. Please schedule an appointment with our TMJ treatment center today and start exploring Alabama's best TMJ and sleep apnea solutions to ease your pain and disrupted sleep.

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