TMJ/Sleep Apnea Treatments
Dentist Cambridge, OH
 When Denise Antalis, DDS' son had TMJ/TMD issues because of football, Denise Antalis, DDS traveled the world looking for a solution. TMJ/TMD is a disorder of the jaw that causes face, neck, and upper back pain and discomfort. Her son missed 130 days of school, and it seemed that no one could help. When she found the solution, she decided that not only her son should benefit, her friends and neighbors in Cambridge should too!
Your temporomandibular joint, or TMJ, is a key component of your mouth that allows you to perform many essential functions. When the joints become irritated and inflamed, you can be left with significant pain. Basic movements like eating and speaking become substantially more difficult. Problems with your TMJ can also interfere with your sleep. Sleep is a crucial restorative process that allows your body to rest and heal both physically and mentally. Poor sleep can have serious consequences on your quality of life. At OHIOSmiles, we can provide you with the treatments you need to restore your oral health and help you finally get some much-needed sleep.
When you hear the word Botox, you probably think about a cosmetic treatment used to eliminate unwanted lines and wrinkles. While Botox is an effective cosmetic treatment, it can also be used to treat bruxism and TMD. With targeted injections, Botox works to stop the muscles that cause grinding and clenching of your teeth. This helps to significantly alleviate your pain and prevent more serious consequences from occurring. The effects of Botox can last for a few months, and additional treatments may be needed to help maintain the results.
Temporomandibular joint disorder is a condition that encompasses some different issues that cause irritation and inflammation in the joints. You may experience severe pain that can interfere with even the slightest movements of your mouth. The types of treatments you receive for TMD vary based on what has caused the condition in the first place. Common treatments include:
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Pain relievers, over the counter or prescription.
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Stress relief techniques such as deep breathing, yoga, or meditation.
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Night guards.
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Botox injections.
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Orthodontics.
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Oral surgery. |
Sleep apnea is a condition that affects your quality of sleep. When you have sleep apnea, you stop breathing for several seconds, several times a night. When you stop breathing, you wake up.
In most cases, you are completely unaware that this is happening. However, every time that you stop breathing, your body has to restart its sleep cycles all over again. Depending upon the severity of sleep apnea, this can occur anywhere from 5 to 30 or more times per sleeping hour. When you wake up in the morning, you feel completely exhausted. You may have difficulty staying awake or concentrating throughout the day. Sleep apnea can even interfere with your mental and overall health.
The most common type of sleep apnea is obstructive sleep apnea, or OSA, which is caused by a blockage of your throat such as your tongue or other oral tissues. Fortunately, sleep apnea can be treated. One of the most common treatments is a C-PAP machine. We can treat sleep apnea with a specialized night guard. In some cases, oral surgery may also help to solve the issue.
Bruxism is a condition in which you grind and clench your teeth. One of the most common causes of bruxism is stress. When you are stressed, the muscles in your body and your face become tense. This tension causes the muscles in your jaws to clench your teeth together. While you can control grinding and clenching during the day, you do not have the same control while you sleep. Grinding and clenching can continue uninterrupted while you sleep, causing you to wake up with jaw pain. Bruxism can lead to the irritation and inflammation of the temporomandibular joints and can also contribute to gum recession, loose teeth, and even tooth loss.
Issues with your TMJ can significantly impact your quality of sleep. Getting the treatment you need can help to eliminate your pain and allow you to finally get the sleep you have been longing for. Call OHIOSmiles today at (740) 781-0540 for more information and to schedule your consultation.
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