Dysfunction of your temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is a noted cause of headaches such as
migraines [1]. Your TMJ connects your lower jaw to the skull and allows you to chew and speak
with ease. However, when a problem exists with the TMJ, pain and discomfort are often the result. Let’s take a closer look at the link between TMJ disorders and migraines.

Muscle Tension Can Cause Migraines

When the TMJ is stressed, out of alignment, or inflamed, it can affect the surrounding muscles
which exist underneath your jaw and on the sides of your head.

In turn, the muscles that support the TMJ can become tense and this tension can radiate out
into the head, neck, and even your shoulders or back.

The TMJ is a powerful joint that allows us to chew tough foods. When something is amiss with
this important joint, it’s not surprising that it has the power to cause painful migraines as a
result of inflammation and stress.

You May Have a Misaligned Bite

Why would the TMJ become stressed or inflamed?

TMJ disorders are often caused by malocclusion, which is the incorrect position of the teeth
when the jaw is closed. Having a malocclusion means your bite is misaligned and can put strain
on your jaw.

With an improper bite, your jaw is constantly trying to compensate for the misalignment, so
tension and stress result, especially on the surrounding muscles. A misaligned bite or issues with the TMJ can also make teeth grinding more likely, which can also lead to headaches or migraines!

Treatment That Actually Works

While not all headaches will be attributable to TMJ disorders, ruling out TMJ as the cause could
be an essential part of treating your migraines [2].

If your doctor has ruled out a medical cause for your migraines, it’s time to visit your dentist.

Your dentist can conduct a thorough exam and be able to tell if a problem with your TMJ could
be causing your headaches.

Unfortunately, many people who experience migraines never suspect that their jaw may be the
culprit, leading their pain to go either undiagnosed and improperly treated.

If your TMJ is found to be the underlying issue, your dentist can put measures in place to treat
your TMJ pain. If a misaligned bite is the issue, orthodontics or other oral appliances may be
able to help. For some patients, stress is found to be the cause of their TMJ inflammation and
so stress management is essential.

Physical therapy may also be able to help. It’s also important that you don’t exert your TMJ by
chewing gum or other foods that are particularly hard to eat.

When understanding the link between migraines and TMJ, it’s important to know that problems
with the TMJ can actually cause severe headaches. By simply visiting your dentist, you could
rule out a potential problem or even uncover the root cause of your pain and receive treatment
that actually works!

Sources:
1. https://www.ninds.nih.gov/Disorders/Patient-Caregiver-Education/Hope-Through-
Research/Headache-Hope-Through-Research
2. https://healthcare.utah.edu/the-scope/shows.php?shows=0_bt01oaam

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So what exactly does your nightly snoring mean? Here’s why you might not want to ignore
snoring, especially if this habit is disrupting your life.

Sleep Apnea

Snoring is one of the most common symptoms of sleep apnea. Although there are three
different types of sleep apnea, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is the most common. Obstructive
sleep apnea happens when the airway becomes partially or completely blocked when sleeping,
which can lead to snoring.

When OSA is present, a person will actually stop breathing during the night and the body will
wake itself up to begin breathing regularly again. This stopping and starting of breathing can be
very jarring for the body and has the potential to lead to a variety of unpleasant health
symptoms.

Conditions Linked to Sleep Apnea

When the body pauses breathing so many times during sleep, oxygen levels in the blood drop.
Since sleep apnea causes the body undue stress due to cessation of breathing, several different
chronic health conditions have been associated with sleep apnea. These include:

 Heart disease
 Headaches
 High blood pressure
 Stroke
 Obesity
 Mental health disorders such as depression and anxiety
 Diabetes

Since many sufferers of sleep apnea also feel very fatigued during the day, there is an increased
chance for accidents such as car accidents during waking hours.

While not everyone who snores will have sleep apnea—and not everyone who has sleep apnea
will snore—it’s imperative to attain a proper diagnosis for your symptoms before jumping to
conclusions or receiving any type of treatment.

What Else Could Snoring Mean?

Snoring doesn’t always mean sleep apnea is present. Snoring can be caused by uniquely formed
nasal passages, such as people who have a deviated septum, who may be more prone to
snoring.

People who frequently have sinus infections may also be more likely to snore. Having muscles
in the throat that relax too much—which can be caused by medications such as narcotics as
well as alcohol consumption—can also cause the airway to collapse during sleep.

Being overweight is also a risk factor for snoring, as excess tissue around the neck and throat
can depress the airway while sleeping.

In order to discover the true cause of your snoring, the first step is often the dentist. Dentists
often come into contact with sleep apnea and while they can talk with you about your
symptoms, you’ll be referred to a sleep specialist for an official diagnosis.

Your dentist can, however, assist you with treating sleep apnea with oral appliances, which help
to keep the airway open during sleep, stop your cessation of breathing, and over time, decrease
your symptoms. Are you worried that you suffer from sleep apnea as a result of snoring? Don’t
wait to get your symptoms evaluated—you can start feeling better with the right treatment!

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There are different types of sleep apnea a patient may be diagnosed with. What are the differences between mild and severe obstructive sleep apnea?

Mild Sleep Apnea Characteristics

If you’ve been diagnosed with mild sleep apnea, this means you experience between 5 and 14 different instances of cessation of breathing every hour. When you think about the standard person sleeping 8 hours, this means you could stop breathing over 100 times every single night! Mild sleep apnea may also be accompanied by fatigue during the day as well as snoring at night.

Your partner may notice that you have a restless sleep or wake frequently during the night. Typically, a person with sleep apnea will have no recollection of these periods of being unable to breathe. Although mild, this form of obstructive sleep apnea still needs to be treated.

Severe Sleep Apnea Symptoms

People who have severe sleep apnea stop breathing 30 times or more every hour while they’re asleep. This means they may stop breathing almost 250 times every night. Severe sleep apnea shares many common symptoms with mild sleep apnea, such as snoring, fatigue, and restless sleep, although these symptoms may be more pronounced.

If you have severe sleep apnea, you’re also much more likely to experience other health problems that come with obstructive sleep apnea, including headaches upon waking, severe fatigue during the day, and even suffering from depression. Severe sleep apnea is life- threatening and should be treated by a specialist.

Diagnosis and Treatment

Any additional medical conditions you have as well as the severity of your fatigue may influence what level of obstructive sleep apnea you have. A sleep study, which typically occurs overnight, is the most common way to properly diagnose sleep apnea. Your dentist can talk with you about your symptoms and refer you to a sleep specialist if you suspect you suffer from this disorder.

For many years, continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machines were considered to be the only treatment for sleep apnea. Modern advances in treatment have enabled most types of sleep apnea to be treated with oral sleep appliances. These appliances don’t fit much differently than a retainer and are easy to wear and travel with. Best of all, they help alleviate your symptoms of sleep apnea, helping your life return to normal.

Are you experiencing any symptoms of sleep apnea? Your dentist or physician can help you get a proper diagnosis so that you can get the treatment you need to experience a better night’s sleep. Talk with your dentist today about your symptoms to determine if mild or severe obstructive sleep apnea could be impacting your life and your health!

The post What Are the Differences Between Mild and Severe Obstructive Sleep Apnea? appeared first on Your Dental Health Resource.

These episodes can happen only few times a night or hundreds. Sleep apnea hugely affects your overall health, but fortunately, your dentist can help treat the problem. Here’s why you shouldn’t ignore sleep apnea and what your dentist can do about it.

Sleep Apnea Increases Risk for Chronic Disease

Sleep apnea is a dangerous, life-threatening condition. This is because your body is being deprived of necessary oxygen during the periods that you can’t breathe. Among its many health effects, sleep apnea can:

Put you at higher risk for high blood pressure
Increase your risk for heart problems including heart attacks and stroke
Raise your risk for depression and mood swings
Increase your risk for diabetes
Cause headaches

Since sleep apnea deprives the brain of oxygen, it can also impact your cognitive skills and ability to remain awake throughout the day. This increases your risk of being involved in an accident and your overall risk of death.

Not Getting Enough Sleep Impacts Your Entire Body

In addition to increasing your risk for serious health problems, sleep apnea also impacts your day-to-day life. This condition can cause weight gain, asthma, and acid reflux. Sleep apnea has also been found to be responsible for weakening the immune system, therefore making your body more susceptible to illness.

When it comes to cognitive performance, sleep apnea greatly impacts memory. It could lead to memory loss much earlier in life. When your body isn’t able to get a deep, restful sleep, it isn’t able to store and catalogue information as well as it might have if you’d not been woken up repeatedly.

Your Dentist Can Provide a Simple Solution

The good news about sleep apnea is that it usually has a simple solution, especially if you have the most common type, which is obstructive sleep apnea. During obstructive sleep apnea, your airway is suppressed by one or a combination of several different factors, including muscles that relax too much, being overweight, or the structure of your head and neck. Regardless of what’s causing your obstructive sleep apnea, you can combine oral sleep appliances with the necessary lifestyle changes your doctor recommends for treatment.

An oral sleep appliance is a custom-made, small device that fits easily in your mouth to keep your airway open while you’re sleeping. Patients usually find it much easier to wear than the traditional sleep apnea breathing mask. The best part is that it can alleviate your sleep apnea symptoms!

If you’re experiencing symptoms of sleep apnea, don’t ignore what could be a life-threatening condition. Your dentist can talk with you about your symptoms and refer you to a sleep specialist for diagnosis. You can continue treatment at your dentist office to start feeling good again!

The post Sleep Apnea Affects Your Overall Health, and Your Dentist Can Help appeared first on Your Dental Health Resource.

Gastroesophageal reflux disease, more commonly known as acid reflux disease, is when powerful acids from your stomach end up in your esophagus. This damaging disorder can cause traces of these acids to wind up in your mouth, causing enamel erosion and dental caries. Many people don’t realize that acid reflux could actually be a warning sign of sleep apnea, as the acids can back up in your esophagus and cause coughing which wakes you up.

Depression

If you’ve been feeling depressed or tired, it might not be what you think. You could actually be suffering from sleep apnea. Sleep apnea causes you to wake frequently during the night, and these disrupted sleep patterns could impact how serotonin works in your brain, causing you to feel depressed. The effect works two ways—decreased serotonin levels could also cause a disrupted sleep cycle!

Cognitive Disorders

Research indicates that people who have sleep apnea get diagnosed with cognitive disorders an average of ten years earlier than people who don’t have the disorder. Experts speculate that this is the result of a lack of oxygen in the blood, which means the brain can’t properly remove toxins or store memories. The effects may be memory loss or worse—early dementia or Alzheimer’s.

Mood Swings

Sleep hugely impacts your mood, research shows. When you get only a few hours of sleep every night, anxiety, stress, agitation, and more mood swings can become part of your daily life. If you’ve been seeing a dramatic change in your moods but are still getting that 8 hours every night, talk to your dentist, who can refer you to a sleep specialist. You could be waking up every few minutes and not know it!

Sexual Dysfunction

People with sleep apnea often experience a decreased sex drive or erectile dysfunction. This can be the result of a lack of deep sleep, which can negatively impact testosterone levels. Testosterone plays an important role in sex drive for both men and women. This is one symptom of sleep apnea that’s commonly overlooked, as people can be hesitant to talk about this with their physicians.

If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms, schedule a consultation with either your dentist or a sleep specialist. Your dentist can talk with you about your symptoms and perform and oral exam that’ll reveal the state of your oral health. Acid reflux has a huge impact on dental enamel, so you may need treatment for this along with sleep apnea. Sleep apnea is considered a chronic disorder that can severely impact your health—don’t wait to seek a diagnosis or get treatment!

Image courtesy of FrameAngel at freedigitalphotos.net

The post Unexpected Signs That You May Have Sleep Apnea appeared first on Your Dental Health Resource.

Quick Treatment Doesn’t Address the Cause

Products that promise a quick fix for your sleep apnea don’t actually address the problems that are causing the issue. Sleep apnea can have numerous causes. Obesity, anatomy of your throat, high blood pressure, and smoking can all be contributing factors. When you attempt to treat sleep apnea through one of these over-the- counter products, you could even be aggravating an existing condition such as a temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder. You don’t know what’s causing your sleep apnea without a diagnosis from a sleep physician. By getting an accurate diagnosis, you can move forward with treatment that’s effective and comfortable for your sleep apnea.

You May Not Have Sleep Apnea

When you choose to treat what you think is sleep apnea, you could be attempting to treat a health condition you don’t have. Symptoms of sleep apnea can overlap with those of other conditions. Fatigue and headaches could be the result of depression, insomnia, or stress. Waking up in the night could be a sign of stress rather than sleep apnea. Snoring is one of the most common symptoms of sleep apnea as it indicates an obstructed airway. However, there’s no way you can know for sure if you have one of the three types of sleep apnea without visiting a doctor.

Sleep Apnea Is a Serious Condition

Sleep apnea is a serious health condition that should never be treated without the help of your doctor. Once you have a diagnosis, you and your dentist can work to create a solution. Oral sleep appliances are popular choices for sleep apnea treatment due to their comfort and ease of use. Your dentist can fit you with an oral sleep appliance to curb your sleep apnea symptoms. Take sleep apnea seriously— get a diagnosis. Get treatment. Get results!

Get Professional Treatment That Works

Professional treatment for sleep apnea means getting treatment that’s tailored to you to actually work. Your symptoms may change over time, as you may gain or lose weight or even change medications. Changes such as these can affect sleep apnea, so continuing to manage your care is essential. Your dentist can work to fit your appliance and make adjustments as needed during your treatment.

Addressing any dental health problems you have before getting treatment for sleep apnea is also important. Oral health concerns such as gum disease and TMJ disorders could prevent you from getting an oral sleep appliance. Visiting your dentist is crucial to ensure your mouth is healthy and ready for treatment!

Sleep apnea is not a disorder to be taken lightly. This condition requires professional diagnosis and treatment for real results. If you believe you’re suffering from sleep apnea, schedule an appointment with your dentist today. He or she can talk with you about your symptoms and even refer you to a sleep specialist who can help diagnose you.

The post Reasons Why You Shouldn’t Self-Treat for Sleep Apnea appeared first on Your Dental Health Resource.

OSA is a serious sleep disorder that can affect your entire life. Other symptoms of OSA include daytime fatigue, headaches upon waking, or even high blood pressure and changes in mood. Since your sleep helps restore energy and balance hormones—among many other tasks—OSA could be the culprit behind these symptoms in addition to your snoring.

Getting a Diagnosis

Dentists are trained to recognize symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea, such as dry mouth or enamel erosion. However, your dentist won’t be able to diagnose the disorder. If your dentist suspects you have OSA, he or she can arrange a sleep test for you through a neurologist to get a proper diagnosis. Once the sleep study has been conducted, your neurologist can advise if sleep apnea is present or not. If obstructive sleep apnea is the cause of your snoring and abnormal sleep patterns, your dentist will likely be the person to help treat your OSA with oral sleep appliances.

Oral Sleep Appliances Can Help

Oral sleep appliances are devices worn in the mouth that help keep your airway open during sleep. Not only does this help alleviate snoring, but it can also combat the symptoms of OSA. Your dentist is the person who can treat sleep apnea by fitting you with a custom oral sleep appliance. These appliances are just like a mouth guard but are comfortable and help you breathe properly throughout the night.

Your dentist should be experienced with oral sleep appliance therapy and be able to work with you to recommend the best oral sleep appliance for your OSA. These devices are small, easily portable, and simple to take care of. Best of all, they can help you get a proper night’s rest and help treat your OSA!

Is it time to talk to your dentist about your snoring? If you’re experiencing other symptoms along with your snoring habit, it’s time to schedule a dentist visit. Your dentist can talk with you about your symptoms and refer you to a sleep specialist. Don’t let snoring or daytime fatigue take over your life—there is effective treatment! Talk to your dentist about OSA and oral sleep appliances today.

Image provided by nenetus at freedigitalphotos.net

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Snoring or Difficulty Breathing

Snoring is one of the most common signs of OSA. This symptom combined with difficulty breathing through your nose (which can often create the snoring that comes with mouth breathing during sleep) are signs that you need to be evaluated for sleep apnea. This includes if you have sinus trouble or trouble breathing through your nose as a result of allergies.

Headaches and Fatigue

If you have headaches upon waking, this could be a sign that your body isn’t getting the proper amount of oxygen while sleeping due to obstructed breathing. Fatigue during the day may indicate that you aren’t getting the proper rest you need because of constant waking during the night to resume normal breathing. See your doctor—you may have OSA!

Obesity and Large Neck Circumference

If you’re obese and have a large neck, the size and mass of your neck could be contributing to obstructive sleep apnea. This is because the muscles that help control your airway may collapse during sleep, leading to an inability to breathe. Obesity is a risk factor for OSA and combined with other symptoms such as snoring and fatigue, could indicate OSA.

Being Restless, Irritable, and Unfocused

Not being able to sleep properly can make you restless at night. If you have trouble sleeping, an obstructed airway could be preventing you from getting a proper night’s rest. This may lead you to be irritable and unfocused the next day, especially as the problem continues over time. You may not be able to concentrate or have trouble regulating your moods. Your doctor can refer you to a sleep specialist to see if OSA could be the culprit behind your symptoms.

Jaw Pain or Acid Reflux

Did you know that having temporomandibular joint disorder (often referred to as TMJ or TMD) can influence whether or not you have OSA? This is because your jaw determines the position of your tongue in the mouth. When your jaw is misaligned, your airway can easily become obstructed by improper tongue placement during sleep.

There may also be a link between acid reflux and sleep apnea, although the connection isn’t clear yet—some researchers speculate that acid reflux may cause the muscles that control the airway to spasm during sleep, therefore resulting in breathing problems.

Having a Family History of OSA

Always know your family’s medical history—a family history of OSA or another type of sleep apnea is a risk factor in whether or not you will develop sleep apnea!

Obstructive sleep apnea is a dangerous sleep disorder that can increase your risk for chronic diseases and even premature death. Get evaluated by a physician for sleep apnea if you have any of the above signs—a simple oral sleep appliance can help keep your airway open during sleep and result in a proper night’s rest and better health!

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How Mandibular Advancement Devices Help

Mandibular Advancement Devices (MAD) are oral sleep appliances that can effectively prevent snoring by keeping your airway open. They help your lower jaw to move slightly forward and keep your tongue in its place in the lower jaw so that it can’t obstruct your breathing or fall toward the back of your mouth during sleep.

These appliances open your airway and allow you to breathe easily during sleep and can even improve strength in the muscles that keep your airway open, including your tongue. MADs are named so because your lower jaw (mandibular) is moved forward (advanced) with the device. MADs are custom made by your dentist to help stop snoring and even treat sleep apnea!

Visit Your Dentist

If you suffer from snoring, it’s crucial to visit your dentist because the majority of people who snore—about 75% of them—actually suffer from a condition called obstructive sleep apnea. Obstructive sleep apnea occurs when your airway is effectively blocked and you stop breathing during the night—this can happen for up to a minute or more and may happen numerous times during a single night.

Sleep apnea increases your risk for chronic diseases such as heart disease and should always be treated by your doctor. Oral sleep appliances such as MADs can help! Your dentist can help talk with you about your symptoms and refer you to a sleep specialist that can diagnose your condition. If you suffer from sleep apnea and snoring, MADs can help!

Other Things You Can Try

Snoring can be prevented by trying other methods as well, whether alone or in accordance with MADs and your dentist visit! You may try:

 Sleeping on your side. Sleeping on your back can cause your airway to be even more obstructed. When trying to alleviate snoring, it’s best to give sleeping on your side a try.

 Staying hydrated. Dehydration can cause secretions of your nose and throat to become thicker, so always drink enough water during the day. Staying hydrated makes for a healthy mouth as well!

 Avoiding alcohol. Alcohol can act as a depressant which can make the muscles in your throat and airway relax to the point that they collapse and cause snoring and worsen existing obstructive sleep apnea.

 Getting enough sleep. When you’re overtired and exhausted, the muscles in your airway can relax more than they should when you do finally fall asleep, making snoring more likely! Always aim to get about eight hours a night.

Do you suffer from snoring and prevent your partner from getting enough sleep? Schedule a visit with your dentist to talk about your snoring and any other symptoms you’re experiencing. He or she may refer you to a sleep specialist to ensure obstructive sleep apnea isn’t an issue,but they may also be able to help with MADs. Stop snoring today!

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Dentists can notice the signs for sleep apnea, since you may complain of headaches, dry mouth (mouth breathing while sleeping) or lethargy. You also see your dentist more often than the doctor, usually every six months or at the least every year for your checkup and professional cleaning. Be open with your dentist and talk with him or her about any symptoms you’re experiencing.

Your dentist is trained to notice the signs and symptoms of sleep apnea—and if you’re breathing through your mouth while sleeping, dry mouth could create an increased risk for cavities and even gum disease. If your dentist thinks you may be suffering from sleep apnea, he or she will recommend a sleep medicine specialist to diagnose you.

Treatment at the Dentist Office

Treatment for sleep apnea can’t happen until you get diagnosed with this sleep disorder. Once you have a confirmed diagnosis, your dentist can actually help treat your sleep apnea! Depending on your type of sleep apnea, an oral appliance may help. Oral appliances reposition the jaw and tongue to improve airflow. They’re easy to wear, removable, and only worn while you sleep.

Sleep apnea oral appliances are covered by many insurance companies as essential treatment for sleep apnea. They help to keep your upper airway open and therefore prevent the collapse of your airway while you sleep, which can cause you to stop breathing. Your dentist has undergone training to recognize symptoms of sleep apnea as well as to treat it. Talk to your health care professionals about your symptoms!

Symptoms of Sleep Apnea

It’s important to know the risk factors as well as the symptoms of sleep apnea to determine if you’re at risk and if you are, when to seek a professional diagnosis of your condition. The risk factors for sleep apnea include:

 Being overweight or obese

 Age (older adults experience sleep apnea more often)

 Alcohol use or abuse

 Smoking

 Being a man (men are twice as likely to experience sleep apnea)

The symptoms of sleep apnea range from snoring, dry mouth, and fatigue during the day to irritability, a dull headache, or awakening during the night short of breath. If you have any of these symptoms, discuss them with your doctor to see if a sleep apnea oral appliance could help alleviate your symptoms!

Sleep apnea is considered a serious sleeping disorder that can increase your risk of death and lead to other serious health conditions such as high blood pressure, heart disease, and atrial fibrillation (AFIB). Talk to your dentist about any symptoms you’re experiencing, and ask if he or she can recommend a sleep specialist. Sleep apnea can be treated by your dentist, so don’t ignore the signs!

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