Having a TMJ disorder often means living with chronic pain in your jaw. Meanwhile, sleep apnea can leave you feeling extremely tired during the day due to your sleep constantly being interrupted. These two conditions may seem like completely separate problems, but did you know that they can actually be related? Below is a closer look at the potential connection between TMJ disorder and sleep apnea.
What Exactly are TMJ Disorder and Sleep Apnea?
TMJ is short for “temporomandibular joint”, which is the name for the joints that allow you to move your lower jaw. Thus, a TMJ disorder refers to some type of issue with these joints or the muscles around them. Common symptoms of TMJ disorder include jaw pain, face pain, a popping sound when you move your jaw, and headaches.
Meanwhile, sleep apnea is a disorder where your breathing frequently stops and restarts while you’re asleep. These pauses in breathing are often a result of obstructions of the airway. When your breathing is interrupted, your body is forced to wake up in an attempt to get some air. While these awakenings are so brief that you might not even remember them, they’re still enough to prevent you from getting enough quality slumber.
What’s the Connection Between TMJ Disorder and Sleep Apnea?
In some cases, sleep apnea can be a contributing factor for TMJ disorder. Oftentimes, the body will try to clear the airway by moving the lower jaw forward. This can happen multiple times a night, thus straining the jaw joints and leading to serious jaw problems.
Conversely, it’s not unheard of for a TMJ disorder to raise your risk for sleep apnea. If a TMJ disorder is caused by a misaligned bite, it can leave the jaw in an unnatural resting position, thus making it more likely that the airway will be blocked while you’re asleep.
What Can You Do About TMJ Disorder and Sleep Apnea?
It’s often possible to treat both TMJ disorder and sleep apnea with an oral appliance that has been personalized for your unique mouth. An oral appliance can help your jaw find a better resting position and keep the tongue in place, thus preventing airway obstructions and lowering the chance of a sleep apnea episode occurring. Furthermore, the appliance can help reduce strain on your jaw by providing protection against grinding and clenching of the teeth.
You should have TMJ disorder and sleep apnea treated as soon as possible before they can have too much of a negative impact on your overall quality of life. Reach out to your dentist today so that you can start exploring potential solutions.
About the Author
Dr. Biju Cyriac went to the New York University College of Dentistry for his Doctor of Dental Surgery. He has completed advanced courses in Occlusion & TMJ Therapy, and he is proud to offer oral appliances as a way to treat sleep apnea. If you are interested in scheduling a consultation with Dr. Cyriac at York Smile Care, visit his website or call (717) 741-0893.