Link Between Sleep Apnea And Dental Health

General Info, Patient Education, Sleep Apnea

At the Center for TMJ & Sleep Apnea Solutions NW, we are passionate about helping patients who struggle with sleep apnea. If you are unfamiliar, sleep apnea is a serious condition where your breathing is affected while you sleep. It is not uncommon for those who suffer to stop breathing for short periods of time during sleep. We often speak of the importance of treating sleep apnea and how failure to follow through with treatment can lead to serious complications with your overall health. You may be surprised to learn that sleep apnea coupled with not getting enough quality sleep each night can negatively affect your oral health.

Will The Change In The Weather Affect Your TMD?

General Info, Patient Education, TMD

We can’t believe that the summer is coming to an end and September is here already. With the arrival of September, not only are students back to school and schedules resuming, but the cooler weather is also arriving. There are some people who dread the warmer weather and love it when the cooler weather arrives once again. People who suffer from TMD can have difficulty with their symptoms during the cold weather. Read on to learn how the colder weather this fall can affect your TMD symptoms.

Is Stress Leading To Your Problems With TMD?

General Info, Patient Education, TMD

It is not uncommon to feel stressed or overwhelmed from time to time. This is your body’s way of dealing with difficult situations. You may feel this way often if you have a high-pressure job that requires long hours and tough decisions, or perhaps you have a major event in your life, such as an upcoming wedding, that is causing you to feel overwhelmed. If you are regularly stressed, it can cause serious problems with your health. Stress can lead to problems such as heart disease, high blood pressure, obesity, and diabetes.

3 Habits That Make Sleep Apnea Worse

Center for TMJ & Sleep Solutions NW, General Info, Patient Education, Sleep Apnea

Last month, we sent an email about habits that may be affecting your TMD symptoms and treatment. Since we treat patients with sleep apnea and TMD, this month we want to share some habits that can affect your sleep apnea. Some of them may surprise you, and you may be doing them without realizing that they can lead to problems. Read on to learn if you need to break these habits.

Can Sleep Apnea Affect Your Mood?

General Info, Sleep Apnea

For years, we have spoken about the negative impact sleep apnea can have on your overall health. Can sleep apnea also have an effect on your mood? The answer is an absolute yes. Patients who suffer from sleep apnea and are not receiving treatment do not get quality sleep at night. Your body needs adequate sleep to function properly every day. Think of a baby or toddler you may know. How is their mood when they do not get a nap during the day or if their sleep is interrupted? They are cranky, irritable, and difficult to calm down. While adults may not behave as poorly as children when they’re tired, their moods can be rather similar.

Are Any Of These Habits Making Your TMD Worse?

General Info, TMD

We think it’s safe to say that most people have a habit of doing something that isn’t the best for their overall health. Maybe they drink soft drinks all day long, or perhaps they regularly spend hours binge-watching TV series. Habits like these are not the healthiest. Anytime you do something for immediate gratification that may lead to a long-term problem, it is considered a “bad habit”. If you suffer from TMD, you may be engaging in certain bad habits daily that can affect your treatment. Read on to learn if there are any habits you need to break.

Man snoring

Is Snoring Affecting Your Health?

Center for TMJ & Sleep Solutions NW, General Info, Patient Education, Sleep Apnea

Do you or a loved one snore? People who snore often are unaware until a family member complains about the noise they hear every night. Snoring is caused when air flows past tissues in your throat that vibrate. Almost everyone snores at some point, especially if they are congested or have a common cold. The problem is when snoring is something that happens repeatedly every time you sleep. Snoring is one of the common symptoms associated with sleep apnea. You may be surprised to learn that snoring can lead to serious complications with your overall health. When you pair snoring with sleep apnea, it can be detrimental to your health if left untreated.

Did You Know That Posture Affects TMD?

Center for TMJ & Sleep Solutions NW, General Info, Patient Education, TMD

Do you work long hours at a computer, or do you enjoy sitting and scrolling on your phone aimlessly? If you suffer from TMD and you do both or either of these things, you may be causing more harm to yourself. The way you sit affects your posture, which is how you hold your body. When you are sitting, standing, or sleeping, you are displaying static posture. If you remember being reminded as a child to stand up straight or stop slouching, that was referring to your static posture. The way you hold your body can have a direct link to the symptoms of TMD. We want to share some gentle reminders of how your posture can affect your TMD symptoms. Read on to learn more.

How To Get Used To Wearing An Oral Appliance At Night

Center for TMJ & Sleep Solutions NW, General Info, Patient Education, Sleep Apnea, TMD

If you recently received an oral appliance to help treat your sleep apnea or TMD condition, you are on your way to feeling better and improving your life. As you know, dealing with either sleep apnea or TMD can be a difficult journey to navigate and can lead to problems with your overall quality of life. It’s amazing that a small oral appliance can make such a difference, but it does and has helped countless patients. There is an adjustment period, especially if this is the first time you are wearing an oral appliance.