We hope that you had a magical and wonderful summer doing all the activities you love with all your favorite people. September signifies a fresh start for many, and new beginnings can bring on certain stressors and anxieties that can cause TMD symptoms to flare up. We want to share some helpful tips to incorporate into your routine this fall to hopefully keep any symptoms on the sidelines:
Are you one of the many who suffer from TMD? If so, you know the importance of staying relaxed as a way to avoid aggravating your jaw or initiating a flare-up of your condition. We know that last year was a stressful time for many and in turn many of our new patients were diagnosed with TMD for the first time. We want to share some simple relaxation methods that you can do in the comfort of your own home. Having not only a relaxed jaw but a relaxed body as well will help you better manage your symptoms.
We hope that you have been enjoying your summer thus far. This summer is full of many opportunities that were not available to us last year. Most people have vacations and camping trips planned. In fact, travel has been at an all time high now that much of the country has reopened. Many weekly rentals, hotels, and campgrounds are fully booked for the remainder of the summer. Travel can be particularly tricky if you suffer from sleep apnea. It can be quite a chore to pack up any machinery, such as a CPAP machine, to prepare for travel. Did you know that there are other alternatives to assist with sleep apnea that are better to travel and camp with? Continue reading to learn more about this.
Have you been dealing with more stress than usual? There can be any number of reasons that you might be under stress and everyone handles their stress differently. A large number of people who have never experienced stress before are feeling the effects from all of the life changes caused by the pandemic. High levels of stress can have an effect on your overall and oral health, your weight, and can lead to hair loss and acne. You might be surprised to learn that your stress level can also have an effect on your sleep.
Are you concerned about experiencing a TMD flare-up during the summer months? The summer is a time where many people adopt the motto “anything goes” and live every day to the fullest. People are enjoying longer days, cookouts with friends, day trips, time off from work, and vacations. For patients who experience TMD, it can be tempting to put your restrictions aside and enjoy all the summer has to offer. We would not recommend this; however, we know that flare-ups can happen at any time. We wanted to share some tips to help you survive the summer if you should experience a TMD flare-up. Read on to learn these tips.
Do you think that you have bad habits that are affecting your TMD treatment? Everyone has good and bad habits. Good habits are beneficial and enhance your life, like making your bed daily, never having dirty dishes in the sink, or exercising every day. Bad habits are not beneficial to your life and have the potential to cause you harm. There are a number of bad habits that can affect your TMD. It can be hard to break bad habits, especially if they are things that you have been doing for many years, but to help your overall health it is in your best interest to make some changes, even though it may be difficult.
Do you suffer from sleep apnea and are not looking forward to the summer? Summer is a time many people enjoy. Warm temperatures, long summer days, traveling, and outdoor cookouts where you are free to indulge are some of the perks of summer. However, if you experience sleep apnea, you might not be so excited to experience what others love about the summer. We want to share some tips to help you enjoy the summer while still keeping your sleep apnea symptoms at bay. Read on to learn more about these tips.
It is not uncommon for adults to enjoy a glass of wine, a beer, or a cocktail with dinner. Many families grew up with the cultural expectation of drinking alcohol during family meals. Wineries, breweries, and distilleries have become quite popular hangouts over the past few years. One of the reasons alcohol is popular is due to its relaxing properties. Those same properties are the reason that alcohol can cause issues for patients who experience sleep apnea.
Do you visit our office due to complications related to TMD? If so, you know better than most that when you are experiencing a flare-up of symptoms, eating can sometimes be a bit of a pain in the neck, literally speaking for some of our patients. With the warmer weather arriving, vacations being planned, and family events taking place, it can be tempting to disregard food recommendations. We want to share some of the suggested foods and some foods that are best left to the side. Read on to learn more.
Over the past year, we have had to change the way we go about our day to day lives. Running a quick errand now has additional tasks that involve using hand sanitizer and wearing a mask. A few years ago, many of us would never have believed that we would not only have to wear a mask wherever we went, but that many of us would have a favorite mask or collection of masks. At this point in our pandemic journey, we have all heard about the effects of wearing masks and have heard stories of those who are experiencing “maskne”, or facial acne caused by wearing a mask. Did you know that those who are affected by TMD are also experiencing an increase in discomfort in their jaw? In fact, it may have happened to you and you might not have realized the cause of your discomfort.
