How Sleep & TMJ are Connected

We chose to limit our practice to these 2 problems because they are often related. Also, if both are not evaluated, therapy for one might make the other worse.

For instance, it is not unusual for a dentist to give a nightguard to someone who grinds their teeth. But if the reason they grind their teeth is that they have an airway or sleep problem, the night guard might make that problem worse.

Our body’s main priority is to get enough oxygen. Without this fuel, we die.

So, our brain is constantly monitoring the level of Oxygen in our blood. If during the night the oxygen level goes down, the brain will send signals to the body to awake and do something to get more oxygen. Sometimes that signal goes to the jaw, so that it moves forward, opening up the airway. This is especially true if the nasal passages are blocked and the mouth is the best and fastest way to get the needed air.

So grinding, clenching, popping, clicking and muscles aches can all come from a sleep/breathing issue.

Even people, such as thin women, might have breathing problems that contribute to TMJ issues. A condition called UARS or Upper Airway Resistance Syndrome results when there’s a lack of sufficient air getting to the lungs, even during the day. People with constricted flow in their nasal passages and throats might have to unconsciously move their jaws to get more air.

This repeated repositioning or posturing to get more air can result in muscle and TMJ symptoms.

Also, a common treatment for Snoring and Sleep Apnea is the use of an Oral Sleep Appliance or a Mandibular Advancement Device.  When such a device is made and there’s an underlying TMJ issue, it can cause the TMJ issue to get worse.

In fact, we have met physicians who do not prescribe these Oral Appliances because they’ve heard of patients getting TMJ problems from them.

These physicians obviously had patients who wither had the wrong type of appliance made, or had an appliance made without a thorough TMJ evaluation. This is also common with appliances that are bought over the internet or at the pharmacy.

Having a proper diagnosis through a thorough examination is the key to getting the right treatment, one that will have limited side-effects and provide long-lasting, effective results.

Making you happy is our primary goal at SCDS&TMJ.