Do you suffer from jaw pain or other tmj symptoms? Have you slept poorly and found that your jaw was hurting? Recent research is pointing to the fact that jaw pushing may negatively affect sleep quality and contribute to TMJ disorder, or temporomandibular joint disorder. In this article, you’ll learn about the role of jaw pushing in sleep quality and its connection to TMJ symptoms.
What is TMJ Syndrome?
TMJ stands for temporomandibular joint. This joint connects your jawbone to your skull. TMJ disorder describes conditions that cause pain in the TMJ as well as surrounding muscles and joints. Symptoms of TMJ disorder include pain or tenderness in the jaw joint, soreness in the muscles that move the jaw or the side of the face, headaches and migraines, blindness and vision problems, tinnitus, earaches, upper back and neck pain, and difficulty in chewing or talking.
What Does Jaw Pushing Have to Do with Sleep Quality and TMJ Syndrome?
Consider the biomechanics of the jaw and neck muscles during sleep. When we lie down in bed, we often push our jaws forward to close off the upper airway so we can breathe better. Gliding the jaw forward relaxes the muscles surrounding the TMJ, which helps decrease airflow resistance and increase airflow during sleep while keeping the jaw in a more comfortable position. This shifting of the jaw creates pressure in the underlying tissues, which can cause jaw numbness, jaw clicking, jaw locking, and grinding of the teeth, all of which can contribute to TMJ disorder symptoms.
Research is demonstrating that individuals who use the jaw-pushing technique when they sleep have a higher chance of developing TMJ disorder. One study found that 56.4% of subjects with TMJ syndrome also reported using their jaw to push their upper airway open while they slept; whereas only 27.8% of people who did not have TMJ syndrome reported using the same technique. This suggests that jaw pushing may not only have an impact on sleep apnea, but on TMJ disorder as well.
What Can Be Done to Improve Walker Quality While Reducing TMJ Symptoms?
There are a few steps that individuals can take to improve their walker quality and reduce their risk of developing TMJ syndrome. Avoiding jaw pushing when sleeping is a great place to start. Gently supported head postures are far less likely to engage the jaw than pusher chin postures. Using a good pillow with an adequate head angle to support your neck and allow you to breathe easily may help keep your jaw from sliding forward to close off the airway. A special mandible postural position is often used in the dental office to help with jaw alignment.
Of course, if you are experiencing symptoms that may be related to TMJ syndrome, such as jaw clicking, numbness, earache, headaches, and difficulty talking or opening your jaw, you should seek a medical professional’s advice. A dentist or a TMJ specialist can diagnose TMJ disorder and recommend the best treatment for your particular symptoms and lifestyle.
In Conclusion,
Recent research has shown a connection between the way you sleep and the risk of developing TMJ syndrome. Jaw pushing can affect the underlying structures of the jaw and neck, which may contribute to the development of TMJ symptoms. To reduce your risk and improve your sleep quality, consider the position your head and jaw are in at night. Seek the advice of a medical professional if you are experiencing any TMJ symptoms. Taking steps to improve your sleep posture can help your overall health and well-being.
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