Waking up tired is one of the worst feelings ever. You want to wake up feeling refreshed, energized, and ready for the day, right? But, if you aren’t sleeping well despite your best intentions, unfortunately, you aren’t going to get those kinds of results.

And if you’re like many people who suffer from a poor night’s sleep, you’ve probably tried everything. You’ve tried counting sheep—is that really a thing? You’ve tried various holistic remedies like melatonin gummies to help relax you and keep you asleep. You may have even made a pleading call to your primary care provider, asking for something a bit stronger to help you fall asleep and stay that way for at least eight hours.

But if those things aren’t working for you, there is likely something else going on. And neuromuscular dentistry might be just what you need to catch some zzz’s.

The Basics of Neuromuscular Dentistry

If you’ve never heard of neuromuscular dentistry before, don’t worry, you’re not alone. More and more dentists are embracing this approach to patient care in order to help their patients with oral health concerns beyond maintaining healthy teeth and gums.

So, what is it? Neuromuscular dentistry is all about the relationship between your teeth, jaw, and the surrounding muscles, nerves, and joints. It’s an advanced approach that goes beyond dental health to explore how these elements work together to impact your overall well-being. 

When your jaw isn’t in its optimal position, it can cause issues like jaw pain, headaches, and yes, sleep disturbances. By aligning the jaw properly, neuromuscular dentistry can relieve these symptoms and improve sleep quality. If you’re looking for a solution to sleepless nights, Dr. Alhadef at Dallas Cosmetic Dental, the best dentist in Dallas, TX, may recommend this specialized care to restore balance and comfort.

The Connection Between Your Jaw’s Alignment and Your Sleep

If you aren’t sleeping well at night, you want to do whatever it takes to help remedy the situation. A poor night’s sleep not only leaves you irritable and frustrated, it can be dangerous. Excessive sleepiness can lead to daytime drowsiness, which can increase your risk of accidents. 

So, if you aren’t sleeping and suspect your jaw might be part of the reason, it’s time to seek treatment. That said, we know you are curious about the connection between your jaw’s alignment and your ability to sleep in the first place. 

When your jaw is out of alignment, it can restrict your airway while you sleep. This leads to breathing issues such as snoring or, in more severe cases, obstructive sleep apnea. Both can result in frequent awakenings throughout the night, disrupting your rest and leaving you feeling exhausted the next day. 

Misalignment of the jaw can put undue pressure on surrounding muscles and nerves, further complicating your ability to breathe properly while lying down. In some cases, this can develop into temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD), which is pain in your jaw, neck, or head caused by the two joints in your jaw. Neuromuscular dentistry focuses on adjusting the position of your jaw to open up your airway. This helps you breathe more freely and sleep more deeply. It’s a holistic solution aimed at promoting uninterrupted sleep. And that is a good thing for everybody.

Neuromuscular Treatment Options for Better Sleep

Here is how the best dentist in Dallas, TX, uses neuromuscular dentistry to help you get a better night’s rest and address TMD.

• Bite alignment adjustments: Misaligned bites can contribute to TMD and impact sleep. The dentist will assess your bite and make adjustments to reduce strain on the jaw muscles, promoting better jaw positioning and airflow during sleep.
• Custom oral appliances: These appliances are designed to realign the jaw and address TMD symptoms, helping keep your airway open and minimizing issues like snoring and sleep apnea.
• Orthodontic treatments: Braces or clear aligners can be used to correct bite misalignments that contribute to TMD, keeping your jaw in a more natural position.
• Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS): This therapy helps relax the muscles around the jaw, alleviating TMD discomfort and improving jaw alignment, leading to better breathing patterns during sleep.
• Corrective jaw surgery: In severe cases of TMD or jaw misalignment, surgical intervention may be required to reposition the jaw.

The Benefits of Improved Jaw Alignment

We know what you’re probably thinking—getting a better night’s sleep is benefit enough for you to give this approach a try. But, the truth is that you can expect more benefits than just a better night’s sleep.

Here are some of the benefits you’ll experience when we help to align your jaw with our holistic approach.

• Reduced headaches: Misalignment often causes tension in the jaw, leading to frequent headaches. Proper alignment can help ease this discomfort.
• Easier chewing: A well-aligned bite allows for smoother, more comfortable chewing, reducing strain on your jaw muscles.
• Less facial pain: Jaw misalignment can lead to chronic facial pain or tension. Aligning the jaw can relieve this pressure and bring lasting relief.
• Decreased neck and shoulder tension: By improving the balance of your jaw and muscles, you may also experience reduced tension in your neck and shoulders.
• Improved overall comfort: Aligned jaws and balanced muscles lead to greater comfort during everyday activities, from talking and chewing to smiling.

Consult with a neuromuscular dentist today and start sleeping better tomorrow.

While the results of your neuromuscular dentistry treatment might not appear overnight, they will indeed start to appear far sooner than later. But the only way to experience that better night’s sleep, and all the other benefits we mentioned, is to get started with your treatment.

Request a consultation today with Dr. Alhadef. During your appointment, he’ll discuss your concerns with you, assess your jaw alignment, and partner with you on a treatment plan that will bring you relief. Get started today.