Do you have TMJ and Sleep Apnea problems?
Do you ever wake up from sleep feeling like you were in a fight with a bear and got punched in the jaw? You’re exhausted (despite 8 hours of sleep), and now you can barely open your mouth because your jaw hurts so much. Don’t blame that bear in your dreams. You may have two separate issues going on in your mouth that have banded together to create this frustrating and painful issue – lucky you, right? TMJ and Sleep Apnea, two oral conditions that can happen separately, can also band together to become one big pain in the jaw.
What is TMJ (temporomandibular joint issue)?
Your jaw has joints (like hinges) that connect your jaw to your skull. They help you talk, chew, smile, yawn, and more. When something goes wrong with these joints, you may have jaw pain, headaches, pain opening your mouth, as well as popping or clicking sounds when you do any of those things. Sometimes it goes away on it’s in a few days. Sometimes you need help from your dentist to deal with it.
Sleep Apnea or OSA (obstructive sleep apnea)
When you’re sleeping, you can have breathing issues, very loud snoring, and can even completely stop breathing for short periods of time. Not only does this bother everyone around you, but you will not get enough sleep and wake up still feeling tired, along with a whole host of other problems, which we will address below.
What happens when TMJ and Sleep Apnea become one problem?
TMJ and Sleep Apnea often become one problem because they both involve the position and structure of your jaw.
When sleeping, your muscles relax, including the ones keeping your airway open. If your lower jaw relaxes backward (very common), it narrows your airway, causes breathing and snoring issues, leading to sleep apnea. This can cause you to subconsciously clench or grind your teeth in your sleep, which puts constant stress on the jaw joints. This can trigger TMJ.
In other words, TMJ and Sleep Apnea can create a vicious cycle.
- Your misaligned jaw can affect your airway
- Your airway issues can cause sleep issues
- Sleep issues can lead to teeth grinding or clenching
- Grinding and clenching can lead to TMJ issues
And around and around we go.
But how do you know if you’re dealing with both?
Because some of the symptoms of TMJ and Sleep Apnea overlap, here are a few signs that might indicate you are dealing with both issues:
- Frequent headaches and jaw pain or stiffness when you wake up
- Neck or shoulder pain or facial pain in the jaw area
- Clicking or popping noises in your jaw
- Feeling exhausted despite at least 8 hours of sleep
- Ear pain or pressure
- The above symptoms may appear gradually, and many will think it’s stress-induced
If you are checking off more than one of these symptoms, you might want to check in with your dentist.
Who could be your unexpected hero? Your Dentist!
When it comes to Sleep Apnea, people might think of sleep studies or bulky CPAP machines. Both can be tools to help with this issue. But what many people don’t realize is that your dentist can play a very important role here and may be able to help you skip either of those options. Your dentist can identify and treat both TMJ disorders and most cases of sleep apnea.
Custom Snore/Sleep Guards to the Rescue!
Custom-made oral appliances known as snore guards or sleep guards can be a game-changer for many people. There are two different types of mouth guard options. One for clenching and grinding issues and another for Sleep Apnea issues (which also takes care of the teeth grinding). The second option is designed to gently reposition your lower jaw forward while you sleep. That small adjustment can help keep your airway open (reducing snoring and apnea events) while also relieving pressure on the TMJ problem by stopping the unconscious clenching and grinding. It’s a two-for-one solution your jaw will thank you for.
Why not buy an OTC mouth guard?
Over-the-counter mouth guard appliances are not custom-fitted to your bite. Why would you want a custom-fitted mouth guard? It will be more comfortable to wear and more effective.
Translation: better sleep, less jaw pain, and fewer mornings when you feel like you wrestled with that bear all night long.
The bottom line
TMJ and Sleep Apnea might not seem like obvious partners, but they’re more connected than most people realize. The good news – relief is possible!
Call us today at Mid Cities Dental to set up your free consultation. This could be the first step towards quieter nights, happier mornings, and a jaw that finally gets to relax. Everyone deserves a good night’s sleep.