Why Sleep is Vital for TMD Patients

TMD Treatment in Myrtle Beach SCWe often see patients suffering from TMD (temporomandibular joint disorder, commonly called TMJ) who also experience difficulty sleeping because of the pain associated with the disorder. If you are one of the 10 million Americans who suffer from TMJ and lose sleep because of the pain, you are missing out on how the body naturally “clears out” the brain.

In a recent study, scientists found that our brains emit a fluid that flushes toxins out of the brain through channels that expand only during sleep. If you are missing out on your beauty rest, this may affect more than your appearance.

In a mouse study, the researchers found that mice who did not receive a healthy amount of sleep experienced a build-up of Beta-amyloid. Beta-amyloid is a toxic protein known for accumulating in brains of patients with Alzheimer’s. Mice who received a healthy amount of sleep were able to flush out the Beta-amyloid twice as fast as the mice who did not receive enough sleep.

If your TMJ is causing you to lose sleep, treatment of the disorder is vital to restoring your ability to sleep and flush out the build up of toxins in your brain. At Village Family Dental, we provide treatment for patients who are suffering from TMJ .

What is TMD?

TMD stands for Temporomandibular Disorder and refers to any pain associated with the temporomandibular joint (TMJ). This joint connects the lower jaw to the skull and is responsible for movements required to speak, eat, chew, yawn, etc.

Although the cause of pain associated with TMD can arise from a number of sources and depends on your unique case, it is vital to seek treatment for the pain. Some side effects of untreated TMD can include:

• Swelling of the face, jaw or surrounding areas

• Toothaches, neckaches and earaches

• Tired feeling in the face

• Jaws that get stuck in the open or locked position

• Limited ability to open mouth very wide

TMD Treatment at Village Family Dental

At Village Family Dental, we have experience working with patients who suffer from TMJ in Myrtle Beach, SC. Our dentists are able to diagnose your case and work with you to incorporate the best treatment plan for your unique case. Our TMJ disorder treatment plans vary depending on the case and can entail home remedies, relaxation techniques, pain pills or TMJ mouth guards.

If you would like to learn more about how we can help treat your TMD, visit us at Village Family Dental or call us today at (843) 215-2599.

Photo Credit: Wikimedia

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