The temporomandibular joint connects your jawbone to your teeth. This joint plays an essential role in the functioning of your mouth, and any damage it sustains results in several oral problems. The most common cause of damage to this joint is infections caused by bacteria. However, there are many other factors that could have similar effects on your TMJ. One of these factors is your sleeping pattern. Research shows that your sleeping patterns could affect your TMJ significantly.
SLEEPING PATTERNS AND TMJ
Sleeping patterns basically refer to your sleeping routine. Do you sleep for extremely long hours or a short period? Or do you have an inconsistent sleeping pattern? Having a poor sleeping pattern will most likely affect your jaws. Experts believe that too little or excessive sleep could prevent your body from combating inflammation; instead, it increases the risk of inflammation. When your jaws become inflamed, there are high chances of having a TMJ disorder. This is a severe condition that will not only affect your jaws but could also advance to other parts of your mouth.
Apart from increasing the risk of inflammation, poor sleeping patterns can also cause stress and fatigue. When you don’t have enough sleep, there is increased tension throughout the body, including your jaw. Such tension can easily trigger bruxism or teeth grinding that can damage the jaw.
Grinding is one of the leading causes of temporomandibular joint disorder. This condition often results in jaw pain and can affect your oral health significantly. Therefore, it is crucial to maintain a good sleeping pattern to avoid damaging your TMJ. Getting a good night’s sleep will not only benefit your body but also keep your jaw safe. If you are having any problems related to TMJ, you should visit our offices for immediate treatment. Contact our offices for more information on how sleeping patterns can affect your TMJ.