Do you suffer from jaw pain? Do you often wake up feeling fatigued and unrested out of breath? If so, you might be struggling with temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ) or sleep apnea. Fortunately, Dr. Kelley Mingus in Bend can offer relief or both of these conditions, giving you the chance to finally get a good night’s sleep and live pain-free!
TMJ and sleep apnea are often related because the health-focused services provided by both practices can be helpful in managing and reducing the symptoms of each condition. “The temporomandibular joint is a joint that connects your jawbone to your skull,” explained Dr. Min-gus. “When this joint becomes inflamed or diseased, it can lead to loss of range of motion and pain in the jaw, face, neck, and shoulders.” Those with chronic TMJ can experience headaches and ear-pain as well.
As a contributor to pain and discomfort, people with TMJ are more prone to snoring, am indication of obstructive sleep apnea. This common sleep disorder is a condition in which a person stops breathing repeatedly while they sleep, due to a constric-tion or closure of the airway passage in the throat. Dr. Mingus is a certified sleep apnea medical practitioner and can diagnose sleep apnea, as well as provide comprehensive treatment to help patients sleep soundly and live a healthier life.
The Relationship Between TMJ and Sleep Apnea
Obstructive sleep apnea is associated with many of the symptoms of TMJ, including jaw pain, ringing in the ears, and difficulty swallowing. This is because the same way that TMJ affects the jaw’s alignment, sleep apnea affects throat muscles and structures, often leading to constriction or obstruction of the airway. The result of this is often snoring, choking, or gasping for air while asleep. If left untreated, these symptoms can lead to night-sweats, headaches, irritability, mood swings, anxiety, depres-sion, and panic attacks.
The good news is that advancements in dentistry have allowed for a safer, more effec-tive means of diagnosing and treating both TMJ and sleep apnea. At Dr. Mingus’ office, he offers a comprehensive diagnosis, which includes a thorough physical exam, imaging studies such as a CT scan, MRI, or x-ray, and thorough sleep studies that track your breathing through the night. If TMJ or sleep apnea is diagnosed, Dr. Mingus offers a range of treatment options to manage and reduce symptoms including customized oral appliances and surgical procedures, as well as home care techniques such as jaw exercises and stretches.
Conclusion:
TMJ and sleep apnea can significantly impact your quality of life, but Dr. Kelley Min-gus at Bend can offer relief for both conditions. They specialize in a unique blend of interventions that can help to manage and reduce symptoms, including physical therapy, or-al appliances, and surgical treatments. Now is the perfect time to call and schedule your in-person or video-consultation today. Feel relief from your symptoms and get the restful sleep you deserve!