Practical TMJ & Sleep Apnea Solutions

Sleep apnea is a sleep disorder that can rob you of quality sleep. If you have this condition, you may stop breathing dozens of times during the night and wake up repeatedly gasping for breath. Obstructive sleep apnea is caused by blockage of your airways while you sleep, which can coincide with jaw alignment issues. Sleep apnea and TMJ dysfunction often go hand in hand, further aggravating this problem. Fortunately, there are TMJ sleep solutions to improve both conditions. A visit to Dr. Ricardo Andrade from Dynamic Dental in Sacramento, California, can start you on the road to better sleep and TMJ pain relief.

Practical Solutions to TMJ & Sleep Apnea Issues

TMJ jaw pain is caused by dysfunction of your temporomandibular joints (TMJs). These joints control the movement of your jaw. You can easily smile, laugh, talk, and yawn when they work properly. TMJ dysfunction can lead to jaw pain, loss of jaw mobility, headaches, earaches, and other throbbing symptoms. Factors like arthritis, jaw trauma, teeth grinding, and bite problems caused by a misaligned jaw can trigger TMJ disorder symptoms.       

Sleep apnea occurs when soft tissues block your airways while you sleep, making it difficult to breathe. As a result, you constantly wake up during the night, which leads to daytime fatigue. Poor jaw alignment can be one of the causes of blocked airways. Correcting jaw alignment issues could minimize the symptoms of both conditions. 

Dr. Andrade and our team propose the following TMJ & sleep apnea solutions:

• Oral Appliance Therapy: Oral appliances are worn over teeth to relieve TMJ and sleep apnea symptoms. These devices gently push your jaw and tongue forward while you sleep. This keeps your airways open so you can breathe easier. It also helps relax muscle and joint tension to ease TMJ symptoms. If your sleep apnea or TMJ symptoms are triggered by a misaligned jaw, a customized night guard could be just what you need for sleep apnea and TMJ dental treatment. After a thorough dental evaluation, Dr. Andrade can determine whether oral appliance therapy fits you well. 
• Lifestyle Changes: A healthy lifestyle can help with TMJ and sleep apnea. This includes daily exercise, eating a balanced diet, and reducing stress. Stress can trigger problems with teeth grinding, which can aggravate TMJ symptoms. Stress will also impair the quality of your sleep. If you don’t have a regular sleep schedule or routine, we recommend you create one to promote relaxation so you can get the quality sleep you need. 
• Physical Therapy for Your Jaw: Exercising your jaw can help strengthen the muscles around your jaw, throat, and mouth, keeping soft tissues from collapsing and blocking your air passages at night. Jaw exercises also help improve the health and mobility of your TMJs, improving your quality of life. 

TMJ & Sleep Apnea Treatment Near Me

To learn more about our TMJ/sleep apnea treatments, contact Dr. Ricardo Andrade from Dynamic Dental in Sacramento, California, at (916) 256-2500. 

Share this Article