If you are tossing and turning at night, waking up with pain in your jaw, or grinding your teeth while you sleep, the culprit might not be bad sleep hygiene it might be a problem with your jaw joint.

In a city that never sleeps such as New York, quality sleep is essential. More and more are realizing that a sinister problem in the jaw could be the source of their sleepless nights. Fortunately, TMJ dentists in New York City are helping locals find the issue and tackle it at its cause.

Understanding TMJ Disorders

The temporomandibular joint connects your jawbone to your skull and acts like a sliding hinge. TMJ disorders trigger pain in the jaw joint and surrounding muscles, which can make even daily activities like talking, chewing and yawning painful.

Symptoms often include:

Jaw pain or stiffness

Popping or clicking noises in the jaw

Facial pain

Headaches or earaches

Bruxism is the medical term for teeth grinding or clenching, particularly during sleep.

Troubling as these symptoms may be by themselves, they can also make it difficult to sleep well at night.

How Sleep Is Affected By TMJ Disorders

Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders and sleep issues frequently accompany each other. Here’s how:

Nocturnal Teeth Grinding (BRUXISM)

A lot of TMJ sufferers grind or clench their teeth during sleep without being aware of it. This worsens jaw pain, but also breaks teeth, stresses the jaw joint, and disrupts sleep all night long.

Pain and Discomfort

TMJ chronic pain can disrupt your ability to fall and stay asleep. That jaw, face, and neck pain can cause frequent awakenings or toss-and-turn sleep.

Sleep Apnea Connection

TMJ Disorders: Possible Connection to Obstructive Sleep Apnea? Lastly, a poorly positioned jaw can cause blockages in the airways while sleeping, resulting in snoring or apnea episodes that momentarily stop breathing.

Seeking Help with Mental Health Professionals

If you have reason to believe that TMJ is the culprit behind your sleep troubles, a consultation with a professional is essential. However, expert TMJ dentists in NYC are trained to diagnose and treat these disorders with current, non-invasive mechanisms. Treatments might include:

Nightguards or splints Custom

Physical therapy

Stress reduction techniques

Bite adjustment

Neuromuscular dentistry

By treating the underlying issue, you’ll not only have less jaw pain you’ll probably also notice an improvement in your overall quality of sleep.

Start Your Journey Toward Better Sleep

You aren’t doomed to chronic fatigue and discomfort simply by living with TMJ. If you’re waking up fatigued, aching, or anxious each day, your jaw could be trying to tell you something.

Contact one of the reputable TMJ dentists in NYC to get checked. With the proper care you can give your body and the right things for your mind, you can finally enjoy the good night’s sleep that your body and mind deserve.