The importance of getting a good night’s sleep isn’t just something doctors say. It’s a must. Getting enough rest each night gives your body the chance to re-energize, repair, and restore itself! And you need it! It takes a lot to keep your body, its cells, tissues, and organs functioning as intended. But, if you’re living with temporomandibular joint disorder or TMD, getting the rest you need can be difficult. Here are some tips from Dr. Dunia Korous and Millennium Smiles in Frisco, Texas.
If you’re living with TMD or another jaw condition, or suffer from orofacial pain, putting any strain on the face, head, neck, or shoulders can cause your symptoms to get worse. This can happen when you’re sleeping and subconsciously clenching or grinding. It can also occur if you’re sleeping in the wrong position.
Here’s why: your sleeping position affects several things you may have never considered before, such as the position of the head, neck, shoulders, and back. The positioning of these areas can cause muscles to be strained or stretched.
Other things to take into consideration include support for your head and neck, if there are forces that are exerted on your jaw, and if your sleep position causes you to clench or grind easier.
If you are waking up everyday with a headache or jaw pain, you are probably sleeping a position that is contributing to your jaw problems.
If you have TMD, another jaw disorder or any type orofacial pain is on your back because it doesn’t put pressure on your jaw or jaw joints, give your neck, shoulders and head enough support and keeps your body aligned in a neutral position.
Sleeping also makes it less likely that you will clench your jaw and grind your teeth during sleep.
Sleeping on your back may sound like it’s not something you want to do – especially if you’re a side-sleeper or are cozy on your stomach, but here are some tips to help get you into the habit.
Find a supportive pillow. Be sure to select a pillow designed to head and neck. Some individuals also find that placing a small pillow under the arch of their spine and another behind their knees can make sleeping on the back more comfortable.
Find the right mattress. Many people living with TMD prefer an adjustable mattress that can prop both the head and knees to keep them from flipping to the side or stomach. Other prefer beds than can conform to the body to prevent turning over.
Find what to do with your arms. The best position for your arms is at your side to help prevent undue strain and stress on your neck.
Getting enough sleep and sleeping on your back is just one way you can manage your TMD or jaw disorder. Find out other ways Millennium Smiles can help treat your TMD by calling 972-468-8771 today.