Bethesda Center for Dental Sleep Medicine & TMJ Therapy Blog

The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) connects the jaw to the skull and allows it to make all the motions necessary for speech and chewing. TMJ disorders happen when this joint is unbalanced or out of alignment, and it can result in a range of unpleasant symptoms such as headaches, backaches, and neck pain as well as difficulty eating. While a qualified dentist can treat these issues, it’s still important to get adequate nutrition in the meantime. Here’s a brief guide to a few excellent foods for people with TMJ disorders as well as a few items to avoid.

Does your jaw make unexpected popping or clicking noises? If so, you might be wondering if it’s a harmless quirk or something you should be worried about! Jaw popping and other sounds can be concerning, but they’re actually more common than you might think! Read on to explore what these noises could mean and when it’s time to see your dentist for relief.

When we think of sleep apnea, the image that often comes to mind is of an older, overweight adult struggling with heavy snoring and disrupted sleep. However, sleep apnea is not just an adult condition – children can also suffer from this sleep disorder. Continue reading to learn about the causes, symptoms, and treatment options for pediatric sleep apnea.

Feeling exhausted despite having what felt like a full night of sleep? If you’re puzzled by constant fatigue, it might be time to consult your sleep doctor. Sleep apnea can disrupt rest, leaving you feeling drained and groggy despite spending hours in bed. While a single night of poor sleep is common, ongoing fatigue requires an examination. Keeping a sleep diary can be an invaluable tool in understanding your sleep patterns and aiding in diagnosis. Read on to learn more!

Have you not been able to get a good night’s rest lately? This could potentially be a consequence of sleep apnea, a disorder where your slumber is frequently disrupted due to pauses in your breathing. However, your phone could also be playing a part in preventing you from getting the sleep you deserve. Here’s a brief look at why staring at a screen right before bedtime could be causing problems with your sleep.

Have you been feeling chronically fatigued throughout the day regardless of how much rest you got the night before? If so, you might be suffering from sleep apnea. This condition pauses and restarts your breathing at night which interrupts your sleep cycles. When this happens consistently, it can influence your body, mind, and emotions in addition to your oral health.

Fortunately, you don’t have to live with the symptoms forever. There are several ways you can combat the effects of sleep apnea. For example, it’s commonly believed that sleeping in a reclined position can help alleviate symptoms. If you’re curious to know more, keep reading to learn about how this can help!

Pregnancy is a miracle of life for a healthy couple looking to start a family. However, there are sometimes complications that arise as the mother-to-be sees an increase in hormone levels across her body. One of the many effects of these shifting hormones is sleep disruption, especially sleep apnea. But how does this condition affect mothers and babies?

Keep reading to learn more about the condition and how your dentist may be able to help.

Every night, sleep apnea disturbs the sleep of numerous patients all around the world—but did you know that it affects more than just sleep? Believe it or not, it can cause a patient all sorts of grief! Continue reading below to learn more from your trusted sleep dentist about sleep apnea and how if left untreated, it can lead to some pretty serious health issues that affect far more than your ability to get a good night’s sleep.

If you suffer from a temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder, life isn’t always easy. You can experience recurring jaw pain. Your joint can click, pop, or grate when opening and closing your mouth. In some situations, your jaw may even lock into one position. Although symptoms can come and go, they aren’t anything to ignore. It’s best to contact a TMJ specialist. Here are just a few of the risks associated with untreated TMJ disorders.

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Breathing is a pretty fundamental aspect of our lives, yet it’s also something we often take for granted. We’re often unaware of the way we breathe, whether it’s through our nose or mouth—but did you know that being mindful of your breathing habits can actually have a profound impact on your overall well-being? Keep reading to learn a little more from your trusted sleep dentist about some of the differences between nasal breathing vs. mouth breathing, along with how SomniFix, a unique sleep aid, can help to optimize your breathing during sleep and contribute to better-quality rest.