Snoring, Sleep Apnea, Headaches and TMD

Sleep apnea is a serious sleeping disorder that affects millions of people. Many times this condition is discovered because the person has a habit of snoring, but other symptoms can include headaches and disorders with the temporomandibular joint, which is referred to as TMD. It is crucial to understand the relationship between all of these so that you know when professional treatment needs to be sought.

Snoring, Sleep Apnea, Headaches and TMD

How to Tell If You Have Sleep Apnea

Different types of sleep apneas are out there, including obstructive, central and complex. These are all caused by different factors, but they all ultimately result in the same symptoms. If you experience any of these signs, then you should get a sleep test performed:

• Frequently getting a headache in the morning
• Chronic sore throat
• Mood problems, including irritability and fatigue
• Insomnia
• Problems paying attention
• Snoring

Signs of a Temporomandibular Joint Disorder

Problems can develop with your TMJ, resulting in a misaligned bite. Some of the symptoms people suffering from a TMD go through include:

• Chronic headaches
• Change in the position teeth bite down together
• Pain in the ears, shoulders or neck
• Popping sounds whenever the jaw closes or opens

How Are Sleep Apnea and TMD Linked?

Many people will have one disorder or the other. However, some people see a medical professional and get diagnosed with both. The reason for this is that a common reason why people get sleeping apnea is that their jaws are protruded in such a way that the upper and lower mandibles do not come together properly. This can result in people grinding and clenching their teeth as they sleep, which damages the temporomandibular joint.

Treatment for both sleep apnea and TMD can be handled by getting an oral appliance that is specifically designed to fit inside your mouth. If you experience frequent headaches, snoring or any other symptoms, then get yourself checked out right away.

Call Highpoint Dental Medicine If You Experience These Problems

Highpoint Dental Medicine features three of top Dentists in Bucks County under one roof. Brian Wilk, DMD is a top cosmetic dentist. Jill Zurek, DDS has been recognized by Philadelphia Magazine as a top Pediatric Dentist and Richard Titlebaum, DMD was named the top Endodontist. Call today at 215-822-1866. We treat Invisalign™ patients from Buckingham, Montgomeryville, Doylestown, Line Lexington, Upper Gwynedd, Lower Gwynedd, Lansdale, Horsham, Montgomery County, Bucks County and the surrounding communities.