Patients with a TMJ disorder understand that staying pain free is a balancing act between good oral health and lifestyle choices. Losing a tooth when you have TMD can throw off that balance and complicate treatment. That is why we always recommend patients replace missing teeth right away to prevent treatment setbacks. For anyone who hasn’t yet begun TMJ treatment, replacing missing teeth is equally important to their oral and overall health.
When we prescribe sleep apnea or TMD treatment, the goal is to get you feeling better and improve your overall health. Sometimes, when treatment is going well, a patient may become less disciplined about their treatment protocol because, in their mind, since they’re feeling better, they don’t need to be as strict anymore. Have you ever done that? If so, please be aware that it’s a mistake. Not sticking to your prescribed TMD or sleep apnea treatment can lead to escalating and potentially severe health consequences.
Good sleep is often the missing link in a person’s healthcare routine. We tend to emphasize diet and exercise, but sleep rarely gets the attention it deserves. As sleep doctors, we understand the importance of consistent, quality rest and its effects on the human body. When a patient isn’t sleeping well because of obstructive sleep apnea or simply neglecting to prioritize sleep in their life, it opens the door to a host of health problems, and excess weight is one of them.
You may already know what a relief it is to be diagnosed with TMD when you’ve been suffering with painful symptoms for years, having found no satisfying answers and likely being misdiagnosed, sometimes repeatedly. But what are the next steps? Because TMD looks and feels different for every patient, treatment does as well. However, there are three general stages you can expect in your treatment plan.
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.
