
Is TMD Affecting Your Sleep?
One of the most important things you can do for your overall health is getting a quality night’s sleep. While you sleep at night, your body and mind recharge to prepare you for the next day. When you don’t get enough sleep or quality sleep, many aspects of your life can become affected, such as your mood, ability to function properly, and more. While we typically discuss sleep when helping our sleep apnea patients, many of our patients who suffer from TMD also experience sleep issues.
If you are experiencing a flare-up of your TMD symptoms or you have not started treatment at this time, you may be dealing with sleep troubles related to TMD. Not only do some people clench and grind their teeth at night, but others may be in considerable discomfort and pain, making it difficult to get quality sleep.
Sleeping Tips
We want to share some tips to help you get better rest even if you are experiencing TMD-related issues:
Choose Better Positions
You may not realize that your sleeping positions may be negatively affecting your TMD symptoms. We recommend not sleeping on your side, especially if you don’t have proper head and neck support. Sleeping on your back is ideal because it can offer proper support, help eliminate pressure on the jaw joint, and help keep the body aligned.
Create a Relaxing Routine
It is important to prepare your body and mind for rest. Establishing a night-time routine that focuses on relaxation will help. It is best to avoid electronics or anything that will not support quality sleep. Taking a bath, doing some light yoga, or meditating can help put you in a state of relaxation. It is also wise to avoid any caffeine products too late in the day.
If you are experiencing sleep issues due to your TMD symptoms or you have issues with sleep apnea and need relief, we are here to help. Be sure to contact our new office location in Auburn & Silverdale, WA to schedule an appointment. We look forward to helping you get quality sleep soon!