Destress For Better Oral Health And Sleep

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

We hope that you are having a wonderful summer and finding time to relax. Many people look forward to the summer months all year long as there is usually an expectation of less on the to-do list and a lighter schedule. Families enjoy school being closed as well as activities on hold for the summer. Companies adapt a summer schedule giving a more relaxed atmosphere. Are you dreading the return of fall due to the added stress that follows with the aspects of your day-to-day life? We want to share some helpful tips to manage your stress, which is beneficial, especially if you suffer from TMD or sleep apnea. Continue reading to learn more.

How Relaxation Can Help With TMD

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

As adults, we can all agree there are a number of factors that can cause added stress to our lives. Aside from all the daily stressors of life, we have also been living through a pandemic the last two years, so many people are experiencing more stress than ever before. This can be even more difficult and affect patients that suffer from TMD or sleep apnea. Aside from our treatment recommendations, many of our sleep apnea and TMD patients are always looking for different ways to relax. While we know many of our patients have their favorite hobbies that help them relax, we want to make a recommendation that will relax the body and the mind as well. We could all use a little relaxation! Read on to learn more.

Ways To Sleep Better When Under Stress

Center for TMJ & Sleep Solutions NW, Sleep Apnea

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.

Helpful Ways to Deal With Stress

Center for TMJ & Sleep Solutions NW, TMD

Stress and anxiety are common experiences for most people. In fact, approximately 70% of adults in the United States say they feel stress or anxiety daily. This is further heightened by the events that have transpired over the past few months. Individuals who have never experienced stress before are confused about what they are feeling. Stress is how the body reacts to and handles harmful situations, but ongoing stress can manifest in physical ways, like teeth clenching. Clenching teeth puts additional strain on the jaw muscles and increases the pressure on the jaw joint. Symptoms experienced can range from a sore jaw, muscle pain, tooth pain, or headaches as a result. Those who experience issues with TMD need to be particularly mindful of their stress levels. A recent article in The New York Times, mentions all of these symptoms and more as they relate to stress in dealing with the coronavirus outbreak. Learning to manage stress can help relieve these symptoms.