Meta: TMJ Dysfunction could be keeping you up at night. Here’s how to tell if it is
Sleep is a precious commodity- one which many of us don’t get enough of, and would frequently do anything for. But with all of life’s stressors, getting a good night’s sleep can be a hard thing to come by. What’s worse, those with medical conditions may have an even harder time getting to sleep, making a bad situation even worse. Such is the case with temporomandibular joint dysfunction, or TMJ dysfunction. When you have TMJ dysfunction the pain itself can be bad enough. Having this painful condition interfere with a good night’s sleep is even worse.
Temporomandibular joint dysfunction occurs when the temporomandibular joint of the jaw becomes misaligned, causing the jaw to pop in and out of the joint. This at its mildest causes a clicking and popping sound when the jaw is opened and closed, however it can cause much worse, including tinnitus, migraine headaches, neck pain, head pain, back pain, jaw pain, teeth grinding, chipped and cracked teeth, and difficulty chewing or speaking.
When you have TMJ dysfunction, sleepless nights are also another side effect. This is often due to the pain, but can also be due to side effects as well, including teeth grinding.
Thankfully, treating your TMJ dysfunction is an excellent way to reduce all of these painful symptoms, and to also get a great night’s sleep.
Whether you know you have TMJ dysfunction, or you suspect you may, the first place to start on your journey to a better night’s sleep is with a comprehensive consultation with Dr. Abelar.
Once you have received a TMJ dysfunction diagnosis, treatment can begin. Dr. Abelar uses a combination of different treatments to treat TMJ dysfunction, including orthodontics and orthotics. These are designed to help realign the temporomandibular joint and the jaw, hopefully eliminating the jaw from being misaligned.
While treatment times vary by patient and severity of the TMJ dysfunction, treating your TMJ dysfunction with Dr. Abelar can get you back to sleep on your own terms.
If you believe you could be suffering from TMJ dysfunction or you already have a TMJ dysfunction diagnosis, please contact Dr. Abelar for a consultation today. The sooner you get treatment, the sooner you can finally get some much deserved sleep!
