How Brisbane Smiles Can Help You to manage TMD pain and sleep issues.
If you’re experiencing TMD, you know that pain doesn’t just stop at the jaw. Temporomandibular disorder, often a combination of jaw discomfort, facial pain, and headaches, can have a significant impact on your overall health. Sleep disordered breathing can be related to facial pain and TMD.
Understanding the Link Between TMD and Sleep Disturbances
The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is one of the most frequently used joints in the body, responsible for movements like talking, eating, and yawning. When issues arise within this joint, such as misalignment or muscle strain, it is often a cycle of pain and inflammation. For many people, this parafunction intensifies at night. Common behaviours associated with TMD, like jaw clenching and teeth grinding (bruxism), may happen unconsciously, particularly during sleep. Hence the two are very closely related and it’s important to investigate if there are any underlying sleep issues.
Poor sleep affects much more than energy levels. It has been shown to impact mental health, cognitive function, and even immune system strength. Long-term TMD sufferers often find themselves in a loop of daytime fatigue, anxiety and increased sensitivity to pain.
Custom TMD Treatments: Reducing Pain and Restoring Restful Sleep
At Brisbane Smiles, we’re committed to providing tailored TMD treatments that address both symptoms and underlying causes. Here’s how we work with you to manage TMD and improve your sleep:
- Custom Splints: Night guards and splints can relieve strain on the jaw and protect against nighttime grinding. Made to fit your unique bite, these devices help reduce muscle tension, support airway and allowing your jaw to rest in a supported position within your physiological sling , during sleep. This can significantly cut down on the discomfort that wakes you up at night and pave the way for restorative rest.
- Muscle Relaxation and Physical Therapy: Targeted exercises, combined with therapeutic techniques, help ease jaw tension and support muscle balance. For some patients, exercises to increase jaw mobility and gentle massage can also bring down inflammation, creating long-term relief from painful episodes.
- Bite Adjustments: If TMD stems from a misaligned bite, treatment may involve minor adjustments to improve jaw alignment. This can greatly reduce strain on the TMJ, preventing many of the night-time symptoms of TMD that impact sleep quality.
- Lifestyle and Posture Guidance: Often, lifestyle factors like posture and stress play a role in TMD symptoms. Our team provides guidance on managing these factors, helping you develop habits that complement treatment and reduce jaw tension naturally. In addition , our clinicians can guide you to triage with other medical professionals so that together we can all work towards helping you manage the sleep and TMD issues.
The Road to Better Sleep Starts with Early Treatment
Living with TMD can have a cascade effect on your wellbeing, and if sleep quality is suffering, it’s crucial to address it sooner rather than later. An early diagnosis and effective treatment can mean less risk of chronic pain and sleep deprivation, and more opportunities to enjoy uninterrupted, refreshing sleep.
Don’t let TMD dictate your quality of life. A consultation with Brisbane Smiles is the first step towards a solution tailored for you. Together, we can address your TMD symptoms and a healthier, more restful sleep, helping you wake up refreshed and ready for the day ahead.
For more information on TMD treatment options at Brisbane Smiles, or to schedule an appointment, get in touch with us today.
We will give you customised solutions for all your dental needs, be it for adults or kids. We will also guide you on ways to improve your kid’s overall dental health through oral hygiene and a balanced diet.
Book a Professional Check-Up and Clean Today
Visit the friendly and experienced team at Brisbane Smiles for a routine Dental Check-Up and Clean appointment in Brisbane to maintain optimal oral health and receive advice on TMD treatment options. Book online.
