Have you noticed that you breathe through your mouth more often than through your nose? If so, it could be a sign of a problem. Mouth breathing can lead to issues such as chronic snoring, sleep apnea, and even temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder. Fortunately, Dr. Kelley Mingus in Bend, Oregon, provides effective treatments for both mouth breathing and TMJ.
Understanding Mouth Breathing and Its Consequences
Mouth breathing is the act of inhaling and exhaling through your mouth instead of your nose. This can be caused by allergies, sinus congestion, respiratory infections, or a structural abnormality. If left untreated, chronic mouth breathing can lead to a number of health issues.
One of the most common consequences of mouth breathing is snoring. When you breathe through your mouth, your airway is usually narrower than when you breathe through your nose, which can lead to snoring. Additionally, mouth breathing can contribute to the development of sleep apnea, a condition in which your breathing is interrupted multiple times during sleep. If not addressed, chronic mouth breathing can also lead to TMJ disorder.
Understanding Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) Disorder
TMJ disorder occurs when there is a problem with the temporomandibular joint, the joint that connects your jaw to the rest of your skull. This joint is responsible for allowing you to open and close your mouth, as well as chew. TMJ disorder is characterized by symptoms such as jaw pain, headaches, ear pain, and difficulty opening or closing the mouth.
Chronic mouth breathing can lead to the development of TMJ disorder. When you breathe through your mouth, you may strain your jaw muscles and joints, leading to overuse and dysfunction. Therefore, if you suffer from both chronic mouth breathing and TMJ disorder, it’s important to get both issues treated.
Solutions for Mouth Breathing and TMJ Disorder
Dr. Kelley Mingus in Bend offers a number of effective solutions for both mouth breathing and TMJ disorder. To treat mouth breathing, Dr. Mingus may recommend specific lifestyle and breathing exercises, as well as the use of a saline nasal rinse. In some cases, he may also recommend oral appliances or surgery to correct the underlying issue.
Dr. Mingus also offers a number of treatment options for TMJ disorder. This may include the use of night guards to prevent teeth grinding, physical therapy to strengthen the jaw muscles, and medications to reduce pain and inflammation. In some cases, more invasive treatments such as surgery may be necessary.
Conclusion
If you suffer from chronic mouth breathing, it’s important to get the issue treated before it leads to more serious health problems such as sleep apnea or TMJ disorder. Dr. Kelley Mingus in Bend is an experienced doctor who offers a number of non-invasive solutions to treat mouth breathing and TMJ disorder. Contact his office to schedule an appointment and start your journey to better oral and respiratory health.