TMJ and Sleep Apnea Disorders in San Diego, CA

The Link Between TMJ and Sleep Disorders

Temporomandibular joint disorders (TMD) and sleep apnea are two conditions that can impact your overall health and well-being. While they may seem unrelated, recent research has found a significant link between sleep apnea and TMJ, detailing how tension in the jaw can exacerbate sleep apnea symptoms.

Explore this connection and discuss the potential impact on your health. To seek treatment, contact our dentist in San Diego, CA, Dr. Purps, by calling (858) 326-9661 today.

What Is Sleep Apnea?

Sleep apnea is a sleep disorder that causes interruptions in breathing during sleep. There are two main types of sleep apnea:

Obstructive sleep apnea is the most common type and occurs when the muscles in the back of your throat fail to keep your airway open, despite efforts to breathe. As a result, the oxygen level in your blood drops, and your brain is briefly aroused from sleep to signal the muscles to tighten and open the airway.
Central sleep apnea is less common and occurs when the brain fails to signal the muscles to breathe, resulting in a temporary lapse of breathing during sleep. Unlike OSA, there’s no physical obstruction in the airway.

The Connection Between TMJ and Sleep Apnea

Recent studies have suggested that there may be a link between TMJ and sleep apnea. One study found that nearly 40 percent of patients with TMD also had sleep apnea. Additionally, the connection between TMJ disorders and sleep apnea, often referred to as ‘tmj sleep’, highlights the co-occurrence and impact on treatment outcomes.

TMJ disorder can cause pain and discomfort in the jaw, neck, and shoulders, making it difficult to fall and stay asleep. It can also lead to muscle tension and spasms in the upper body, including the muscles that control breathing. This can make it harder to breathe normally during sleep, leading to snoring, gasping, or choking.

On the other hand, sleep apnea can also contribute to the development of TMD. This is because sleep apnea can cause repeated teeth grinding and clenching, which can strain the jaw joints and lead to painful symptoms. The airway collapsing during sleep forces the lower jaw forward, which can exacerbate preexisting TMJ issues and contribute to the development of TMD symptoms.

Signs of TMJ Disorders Caused by Sleep Apnea

Signs that TMD may be caused by sleep apnea include:

Jaw Pain: Sleep apnea can cause teeth grinding and clenching during sleep, which can put excessive strain on the TMJ and lead to symptoms such as jaw pain.
Chronic Headaches: Sleep disorders can cause headaches due to the lack of oxygen in the body during sleep. These headaches may be felt in the temples or behind the eyes and can become chronic, especially if TMJ disorders are left untreated.
Neck and Shoulder Pain: Muscle tension and spasms in the upper body can occur, including the muscles that control breathing. This can lead to neck and shoulder pain, which can contribute to TMJ symptoms.
Limited Jaw Movement: You may experience pain and discomfort in the jaw, neck, and shoulders, making it difficult to move the jaw properly. This can lead to limited jaw movement.
Ear Pain: Sleep disorders can cause pressure changes in the ear, which can lead to ear pain. Discomfort may be felt in the ear itself, or the TMJ area.

Treatment for TMJ and Sleep Disorders

For TMD, treatment may include physical therapy, medications, or oral appliances such as splints or mouth guards.

For sleep apnea, treatment may include: woman asleep in bed

Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy involves wearing a mask over the nose or mouth. It delivers a stream of air to keep the airway open during sleep.
Bi-level positive airway pressure (BiPAP) therapy delivers air at different pressures during inhalation and exhalation.
Oral appliances like VIVOS are custom-made devices worn in the mouth to help keep the airway open during sleep. Oral appliance therapy is an effective, non-invasive treatment method that uses a custom-made mouthpiece to support the jaw in a forward position, improving the well-being of individuals suffering from both sleep apnea and TMJ disorders.
Surgery in some cases, such as tonsillectomy or adenoidectomy, removes obstructive tissue in the airway.

For some, treating one condition may also help alleviate the symptoms of the other. For example, treating sleep apnea with a CPAP machine may help reduce teeth grinding and clenching, which can help alleviate TMJ disorder symptoms.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who should I see if I suspect I have TMD or sleep apnea?

If you suspect you have TMD or sleep apnea, schedule an appointment with your dentist or doctor. They can perform an examination and refer you to a sleep specialist or an oral and maxillofacial surgeon. The doctor you’re referred to will depend on your TMD symptoms.

Will treating sleep apnea help with TMD?

There’s some evidence to suggest that treating sleep apnea can help alleviate symptoms of TMD. When sleep apnea is treated with a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine or other methods, it can reduce the tension and strain on the jaw joint during sleep. This can improve TMD symptoms, such as pain and difficulty opening the mouth. Untreated sleep apnea, on the other hand, can lead to severe health issues and exacerbate TMD symptoms.

What is the best sleeping position for TMD?

For individuals with TMD, sleeping on their back with a small pillow or rolled towel under the neck for support is recommended. Sleeping on the stomach should be avoided as it can put unnecessary strain on the neck and jaw. Consult a sleep specialist for more tips on managing TMD and sleep apnea.

Improve Your Sleep and Jaw Pain With Personalized Care

If you’re experiencing symptoms of TMJ or sleep apnea, seek medical attention from our San Diego, CA dentist. Dr. Purps can properly diagnose your condition and recommend the best treatment for your needs. Don’t hesitate to speak up and seek help — these conditions can significantly impact your quality of life and overall health.

Contact Fine Dentistry at (858) 326-9661 to learn more. We welcome patients from Chula Vista, Lincoln Heights, and Mission Hills, CA.