If you have trouble sleeping, you could be experiencing difficulty for several reasons. Pain in the TMJ is considered one of the lesser-known culprits. Not only are TMDs (temporomandibular disorders) painful, but they are connected to sleep apnea. Missing out on sleep is associated with a few potential health issues. If you are suffering from TMD, taking the correct measures to cure it is crucial. For this reason, learning what symptoms can signify the presence of TMJ is vital.
What are the Causes of TMD?
TMJ disorder can develop when there is damage to your joint or to the cartilage that conceals the bone if the joint is misaligned. There is not always a clear cause or reason behind the disorder. However, dentists believe that many factors can play a role, including:
- Arthritis
- Injury
- Dental surgery
- Bruxism (teeth grinding or clenching)
- Infection
- Genetic, hormonal, or environmental causes
What is it Like Dealing with TMD Pain?
When it comes to any health issue, there is never a definite and explicit way to self-diagnose. You must contact our dental clinic near you for a reliable diagnosis. That said, you should always be aware of potential symptoms and when to seek professional advice at our dental office near you. The following are common symptoms of TMD:
- Pain or tenderness in your jaw
- Jaw lock
- A clicking or popping sound when you open or close your jaws
- An earache or pain around your ears and eyes
- Sleeping disorder
- A buzzing or popping sound in your ears
- Headache
If you experience any of the above symptoms, visit our TMJ clinic in Edmonton.
What is the Correlation Between Sleep Apnea and TMJ?
If you have TMJ disorder, the pain and stress of it can negatively affect your ability to fall asleep and enjoy a lengthy and uninterrupted good night’s rest. When you have a disorder of the jaw, it can disturb the airways while you are sleeping, and this can cause snoring or temporary choking when you are trying to rest. When your airways are blocked, it always results in less oxygen travelling to your brain, which can impact the quality of your sleep. Sleeping disorder or sleep apnea can also lead to several other health concerns. With fewer hours of sleep or poorer quality of sleep, your energy levels throughout the day will be low, and for children, this can stunt their development. Contacting our dentist in Edmonton is critical as soon as you experience these symptoms.
Taking the Correct Steps to Treat TMD
Treating or controlling TMJ disorder is usually possible through self-care and lifestyle changes. You should consult a professional to determine which exercises will benefit you. Minimizing movement of your jaw and avoiding the clenching or tensing of your jaw can also help. To reduce stress on the jaw, you should consume soft foods and avoid chewing gum.
Although it may not be possible to fix the disorder entirely, our dentist in Edmonton will recommend the most effective way to manage the symptoms and avoid further deterioration of your jaw joint. Depending on your situation, our dentist can provide multiple treatment options, which include:
- A mouth guard: If the cause of the disorder is teeth grinding, our dentist can provide you with a custom mouth guard.
- Injections: Osteoarthritis or other degenerative conditions may benefit from injections.
- Corrective surgery: If there is extreme damage to your joint, corrective surgery may be necessary.
To seek TMJ treatment in Edmonton, contact our dental clinic in Edmonton.