Good sleep can be hard to come by, but when achieved it refreshes your body and mind. Getting a full eight hours of sleep is key to maintaining a healthy, active, and fulfilling life. It can become difficult to receive good sleep when your deal with TMJ, a term used to describe people who clench their jaws at night. There are a few ways to deal with TMJ including finding the best sleeping position for TMJ. Here are some tips on finding that position for yourself and other things you can do against TMJ.
Those that are looking for the best sleeping position for TMJ need to start with their pillows. Having the correct elevation for your head and neck can go a long way in relieving tension in those muscles. One of the worst positions to sleep in when you suffer from TMJ is on your stomach. When you sleep on your stomach, you put extra pressure and force on your jaw and head. Any extra pressure can potentially stress your jaw muscles and begin the process of clenching while you sleep.
The best sleeping position for TMJ is on your back. In this position, you put the least amount of stress, pressure, and force on your neck and head muscles. If you pair that with a pillow that supports that region, you’ll be putting yourself in a great position to avoid clenching your jaw muscles. While sleeping on your back and using a supportive pillow may help your TMJ, it won’t protect your muscles and jaw from clenching if it still occurs while you sleep. When you’re asleep, you can’t control what your body does, so it still leaves you vulnerable if you toss and turn or change positions while you sleep.
To maximize protection against TMJ, you’ll want to wear a night guard. There are many names for a night guard including teeth grinding guard, occlusal guard, and TMJ guard, but they all mean the same thing. This custom oral device is worn while you sleep and protects your teeth against grinding while protecting your jaw muscles from clenching. If you speak with your dentist about TMJ, they will likely want you to wear a night guard or offer to craft you one. Night guards from the dentist can be quite costly.
The good news is that now you know the best sleeping position for TMJ and you know that a night guard can give you maximum protection against it. If you are told you need a night guard, there are affordable options online like SportingSmiles. Having been in business since 2009, SportingSmiles has crafted night guards for over one million people around the United States. Offering six different types of night guards, there’s an option for everyone based on their needs for protection against grinding or clenching.
By ordering a night guard, and pairing it with the best sleeping position for TMJ, you are fully protected against TMJ when you sleep. Night guards are crafted for protection but with an emphasis on comfort. There are teeth-grinding guards at drug stores, but they are bulky and not custom-fitting. A custom-fitted night guard has more durability and protection because of the material that is made from.
When looking to protect yourself and receive quality sleep, make sure you find the right position to sleep in and protect yourself with a night guard. There are affordable options online as opposed to making an appointment with a dentist. If you feel that you grind or clench your teeth at night, make sure to wear a night guard before permanent damage is done.
