Sleep should be the time your body rests and recovers. But if you have sleep apnea, your body is working overtime just to keep breathing, and that can take a serious toll on your heart. At Center for TMJ & Sleep Solutions NW, we often see patients who are shocked to learn how closely sleep apnea is tied to heart problems. If you’ve been putting off getting checked, here’s why it’s worth paying attention to.
After you started treatment for TMD, you probably noticed how small changes made a big difference in your overall comfort and symptoms. The reverse is also true. Some seemingly minor habits can put added pressure on your jaw and make symptoms harder to manage. And the tricky part? You might not even realize you’re doing them.
It’s easy to lose track of posture during a long day at your desk or scrolling on your phone. If you’ve been dealing with jaw pain, headaches, or tension in your neck and shoulders, your screen habits could be part of the problem.
Starting treatment for sleep apnea is a major step toward better rest, better health, and better quality of life. But what happens when you’ve followed the plan and used your appliance consistently but still wake up feeling tired? It can be discouraging and confusing. Many patients expect to feel better right away, so when that doesn’t happen, it’s easy to wonder if something’s wrong.
New York City is rolling out a new program and public education campaign that offers city residents free sleep apnea screenings and at-home sleep tests—and it’s catching national attention. It’s part of a growing movement to raise awareness around a serious condition that affects millions of people, often without their knowledge. Here in Washington, we believe it’s a conversation worth having too.
Your jaw clenches during a tough conversation; your teeth grind when you’re stressed. You might not even notice you’re doing it, but before long, the soreness creeps back in. TMD and stress don’t go together, and stress-related symptom flareups only make things worse. Recognizing and managing stress triggers can help you end this vicious cycle.
It’s no secret that quality sleep can boost your mood, but what happens when sleep apnea keeps you from getting the rest you need? If you’re feeling unusually tired, irritable, or down, your sleep quality may be playing a bigger role than you realize.
If you’ve been living with TMJ disorder, you know that flare-ups can happen when you least expect them. One day, your jaw feels fine—then suddenly, chewing, yawning, or even talking can bring discomfort. While TMJ flare-ups can be frustrating, knowing what triggers them and how to manage symptoms can help you find relief faster.
Do you struggle with frequent headaches, jaw pain, or facial tension that never seems to go away? Many people live with these symptoms for years without realizing they could be linked to temporomandibular disorder (TMD)—a condition affecting the jaw joint and surrounding muscles.
Daylight saving time begins soon, and while many people feel groggy for a few days, the time change can be even harder on those with sleep apnea. Losing an hour may not seem like much, but even small disruptions to your sleep cycle can make symptoms worse—leading to restless nights, increased fatigue, and trouble staying alert during the day.
