Is it possible to have sleep apnea and not know it? And even if you do, so what, right? Well, not exactly. It is very possible to have sleep apnea and not know it. If you sleep with a partner, they may awaken and hear you gasping for air during the night. But if you sleep alone, you may not know you have it. A study by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine found that while approximately 30 million American adults have obstructive sleep apnea only about 6 million, or 20%, have been properly diagnosed and treated. You should be concerned if you, or your partner, have sleep apnea and are not rec ..read more

According to the American Sleep Apnea Association (ASAA), the majority of an estimated 22 million Americans don’t know they have sleep apnea. Snoring is usually a symptom, but it’s possible to snore but not have sleep apnea. Regardless, loud snoring brings about restless nights, dents healthy marriages, and may indicate poor health. For this reason, the ASAA suggests four tests you can take to find out if you’re predisposed to sleep apnea. If any of these tests check out, go see a Brandon, FL sleep apnea specialist such as Bay Area TMJ & Sleep Center right away. As with virtually ..read more

The temporomandibular joint connects the jaw to the skull in front of the ears. Temporomandibular disorders are often called TMJ, but the proper abbreviation is TMD. Teeth grinding, arthritis in the joint, and stress can contribute to TMD. Symptoms include tenderness, swelling, a stuck jaw, trouble chewing, and possibly even headaches and tinnitus. Eating soft foods and keeping teeth apart can relieve symptoms. There are also over-the-counter and prescription medications available. More serious treatments include radio wave therapy, ultrasound, and even surgery (arthrocentesis, arthroscopy or ..read more

There are more than 30 medical conditions that can cause joint and muscle pain in the jaw. One group of these conditions is called temporomandibular disorders (TMDs). This group includes three main classes, including disc disorders, muscle disorders, and headaches. While many TMDs will only last a short amount of time and then go away without further treatment, some cases become long lasting and are chronic conditions. Symptoms of TMDs include pain in the face or neck, stiffness of the jaw, limited movement of the jaw, as well as clicking or popping that is painful. There are both nonsurgical ..read more

The pain can be horrific. The throbbing or sharp stabbing-like pain in your ear, jaw, face, or head can be all consuming. It disrupts your sleep – and your life! Eating may be agonizing. Even talking or smiling can exceed your pain threshold. Add in the sounds and vibrations of your jaw when you move, the snap, crackle, and pop may have you think you’re in a Rice Krispies® cereal commercial! Yet the truth is, the pain associated with a TMJ Disorder is not the time for levity. It’s a serious health concern – one that people experiencing the pain often have a difficult time finding the right hea ..read more

All anyone wants is a good night’s sleep. How well our day goes is often connected to how well we slept the night before. Sleep allows our body to rest, restore energy, and boost our immunity. However, obstructive sleep apnea can sabotage the quality of our sleep. As a result, not sleeping well can wreak havoc on our physical and mental health. And achieving that good night’s sleep can be just down-right elusive to those with obstructive sleep apnea. So, how well did you sleep last night? We all have the occasional sleepless night. Stress and worry can contribute to tossing and turning in bed ..read more

Most of us live with some level of stress each day. Who hasn’t experienced a little stress? It should be a four-letter word! We agonize about any number of things, including our job, family, kids, health, and finances. Some of us manage stress better than others. Maybe stress has been heaped on you personally in large quantities. And now there is a new stressor impacting everyone – a global health pandemic. Jobs are lost. Businesses shuttered. Parents and kids are adjusting to learning at home. Our lives are in turmoil with uncertainty over the health and welfare of those we love. Stress is of ..read more

Some dentists call it TMJ, others TMD. Either way, they’re related to problems with the jaw that affect around 35 million people in the U.S., according to the TMJ Association. Are these two terms really different from each other? If yes, is it important for patients and dentists to use the right term, namely in TMJ treatment in Brandon? Searching Google with the keyword “TMJ” produces an interesting trend. Some medical info websites like WebMD.com MedicineNet.com use TMJ to refer to the jaw disorder, but others such as the National Institutes of Health and American Dental Association refe ..read more

Not by a long shot. People seeking relief from TMJ, chronic headaches, facial pain and sleep disorders will not find help with a trip to your local pharmacy store. Your dentist, who cleans your teeth, may provide a mouth guard to fit you, but it won’t conquer your pain. Three types of night guards Store-Bought Night Guards Nightguards purchased at your local store are a one-size-fits-all approach. They are fitted to your teeth by boiling it in hot water and then forming around your teeth. They are soft and flexible and don’t last very long. These night guards are used to protect your teeth f ..read more