The Best Way to Sleep When You Have TMJ | CustMbite (2024)

The Best Way to Sleep When You Have TMJ | CustMbite (1)

The Best Way to Sleep When You Have TMJ | CustMbite (2)

Reviewed by Monroe Elkin, BS PHARM., DMD

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WHY YOUR SLEEPING POSITION MATTERS

Your sleeping position matters whether you have TMJ, bruxism, other teeth and jaw disorders, or no teeth and jaw disorders. That’s because a good night’s sleep is essential to allow your body to repair itself, refresh your brain for the coming day, and the many other functions that are carried out during sleep. For those who do have TMJ or other teeth and jaw disorders, sleep can be elusive. Our CustMbite Nightguard can help prevent some of the symptoms of TMJ or bruxism, and you can help a mouthguard for TMJ work even better by sleeping in the proper position.

There are a number of things affected by your sleeping position, including:

  • The way the muscles in your head, neck, and shoulders are strained and stretched throughout the night
  • The way your head and neck are supported during sleep
  • The physical forces that are put on your head, jaw, and neck all night
  • The likelihood of your grinding or clenching your teeth

If you’ve been waking up with jaw or tooth pain or a headache, it’s likely that your sleeping position may have something to do with the problem. So what is the sleep position that is best for people who suffer from TMJ or other tooth and jaw disorders? Continue reading to find out.

THE BEST SLEEPING POSITION FOR TMJ/TMD AND BRUXISM SUFFERERS

The best position to sleep in if you have any type of TMJ or bruxism is on your back. There’s a few reasons for this:

  • There’s no pressure put on the jaw.
  • Sleeping on your back offers the necessary support to your neck, shoulders, and head.
  • Sleeping on your back puts your spine, neck, and head in the best, most neutral alignment while sleeping.
  • You’ll be less likely to clench or grind your teeth during sleep when lying on your back.
  • The worst position to sleep in if you have TMJ or related disorders is on your stomach. Sleeping on your side with your arm under your head is a close second-worst sleeping position. That's because neither of these positions support your neck, head, and spine remaining in their proper alignment as sleeping on your back does.

If you’re not used to sleeping on your back, there are a few things you can do in order to get used to it. In addition to making certain you have a comfortable pillow made specifically for sleeping on your back to put under your head, you may want to use a small pillow to put under the arch of your spine. This can make you feel more secure inyour placement. It might also be beneficial to have a mattress that conforms with the shape of your body, as this can be more comfortable for back sleepers. If you have an adjustable mattress, you can make it more uncomfortable to sleep on your stomach or side by putting the top at a slight angle to the bottom. If you’re uncomfortable sleeping on your back with your arms down at your sides, you can move them around to find a comfortable position. While it is best for your neck to have your arms lie at your side, it might feel most comfortable to have small pillows to place between your arms and your sides, or to lay your arms on your chest or stomach. Raising your arms up by your head can put strain on your shoulders, so try to avoid that position.

HOW A CUSTMBITE NIGHTGUARD CAN HELP YOU SLEEP BETTER

Sleeping in the most conducive position to alleviating TMJ or bruxism pain is one way you can lessen the effects of these particular disorders. If you want to have an even better chance of sleeping free of pain all night long, you can use the CustMbite Nightguard. This consists of two flexible, moldable trays: one for your upper teeth and one for your lower teeth.

Our patented VistaMaxx material was developed with the help of dental professionals to provide strong protection along with a comfortably soft cushion if you clench or grind your teeth during sleep. The material does not allow bacteria to absorb into it, so it will stay clear and comfortable for as long as you need it. Molding it to your teeth only takes a couple of minutes, and the only special equipment you need is a microwave. You can remold your sleep mouth guard just as easily as many times as you need, another convenience that makes CustMbite the best sleeping mouthguard on the market.

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The Best Way to Sleep When You Have TMJ | CustMbite (3)

The Best Way to Sleep When You Have TMJ | CustMbite (4)

HOW DO I GET A NIGHTGUARD FOR TEETH GRINDING AND CLENCHING?

If you’re suffering from TMJ or bruxism, sleeping on your back with your spine, shoulders, and head aligned well can help. To experience more comprehensive relief, order your CustMbite Nightguard today and experience the difference!

$49.95

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Your comfort is our highest priority.

Sleep comfortably with CustMbite. Bruxism and TMJ disorder, both often caused by teeth grinding or clenching during sleep, can cause many problems, including jaw discomfort, headaches, and sleep disruption.

With CustMbite, you can rest assured knowing that our nightguard was created specifically with your comfort in mind. Our patented Vistamaxx™ material will provide a snug and secure fit to your teeth, so not only will they be protected from grinding and clenching, you'll also sleep comfortable every night.

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The Best Way to Sleep When You Have TMJ | CustMbite (10)

Reviewed by:

Monroe Elkin, BS PHARM., DMD

Monroe Elkin got a Bachelors of Science in Pharmacy at Brooklyn College of Pharmacy in Brooklyn, New York. He then earned a Doctor of Medicine in Dentistry at the University of Rutgers School of Dentistry in Newark New Jersey. Dr. Elkin owned and operated his own dental practices for 29 years where he specialized in treating oral injuries for athletes, fabricated custom fitted mouth guards and performed both general and trauma dentistry for athletes at Wagner College as dentist for the athletic department. He also performed cosmetic dentistry including implants, crown and bridges, bonding and endodontics. Dr. Elkin has been a part of 3 publications and has held various positions volunteering for organizations that are about sports dentistry and oral care.

The Best Way to Sleep When You Have TMJ | CustMbite (2024)

FAQs

The Best Way to Sleep When You Have TMJ | CustMbite? ›

The Best Sleeping Position for TMJ

How to sleep during a TMJ flare up? ›

Sleeping on your back will be the best position if you suffer from TMJ, as this will help keep your head and neck in a neutral position. This position will help decrease the tension in your jaw and can help to reduce the pain and inflammation you may be feeling.

How to help TMJ at night? ›

To help minimize TMJ pain, sleep on your back and use pillows to support your neck. You should avoid sleeping on your stomach, and if sleeping on your side, do not place your hand on your jaw.

Why does TMJ get worse at night? ›

Lack of Movement: During sleep, our bodies tend to stay in one position for an extended period of time. This lack of movement can cause stiffness in the muscles surrounding the jaw joint, leading to increased pain upon waking up in the morning.

What is the best position to sleep in to stop jaw clenching? ›

The best sleep position for any individual suffering from TMD or poor TMJ health is sleeping on your back. This promotes proper head and neck alignment while also reducing your risk for teeth grinding and jaw clenching.

How can I calm my TMJ? ›

Lifestyle and home remedies
  1. Avoid overuse of jaw muscles. Eat soft foods. ...
  2. Stretching and massage. Your doctor, dentist or physical therapist may show you how to do exercises that stretch and strengthen your jaw muscles and how to massage the muscles yourself.
  3. Heat or cold.
Dec 28, 2018

How can I relax my jaw overnight? ›

If you notice that you clench or grind during the day, position the tip of your tongue between your teeth. This practice trains your jaw muscles to relax. Relax your jaw muscles at night by holding a warm washcloth against your cheek in front of your earlobe.

What are the four stages of TMJ? ›

Traditionally, internal derangement of the TMJ has been described as a progressive disorder with a natural history that may be classified into four consecutive clinical stages1,5,6: stage one has been described as disc displacement with reduction, stage two as disc displacement with reduction and intermittent locking, ...

What should I wear at night for TMJ? ›

A custom-fitted night guard will ensure that your jaw is in proper alignment, which can help with TMJ jaw pain relief. A custom-fitted night guard will fit properly, which means that it will be more comfortable and won't fall out during the night.

Does drinking water help TMJ? ›

This is especially true for people with temporomandibular disorders (TMD). Dehydration can exacerbate existing symptoms, meaning that “flare ups” in your condition may be tied to the fact that you're not drinking enough water throughout the day.

How long do TMJ flare ups last? ›

Generally, a TMJ flare-up can last anywhere from a few hours to several weeks, depending on the underlying cause, the individual's personal health, and whether any treatment is being utilized.

Will TMJ go away on its own? ›

Symptoms worsen and ease over time, but what causes these changes is not known. Most people have relatively mild forms of the disorder. Their symptoms improve significantly, or disappear spontaneously, within weeks or months. For others, the condition causes long-term, persistent, and debilitating pain.

How to sleep when you have TMJ? ›

Sleeping on the back is considered an ideal position for reducing pain because it avoids pressure on the jaw, keeps the head and neck in better alignment, provides increased support for the head, neck and shoulders and makes it less likely that teeth clenching or grinding will occur.

How do you keep your jaw closed while sleeping? ›

Some experts recommend mouth taping to encourage breathing through the nose and to stop snoring. Mouth taping involves taping the mouth shut or covering it with a soft patch at night.

How do you protect your jaw while sleeping? ›

Mouthguards and splints

Mouthguards can be custom-made at the dentist's office or purchased over the counter (OTC). If you have chronic sleep bruxism, custom-made mouthguards may help protect your teeth from damage. They may also reduce the strain on your jaw.

How do you get over a TMJ flare up? ›

What to Do for TMJ Flare-Ups
  1. Hot compresses and cold packs.
  2. Jaw exercises.
  3. Sleep habits.
  4. Staying hydrated.
  5. Avoid chewy foods.
  6. Improving posture.
  7. TMJ Botox treatment.

How do you rest your mouth for TMJ? ›

I suggest that you closely monitor your jaw position during your waking hours so that you maintain your jaw in a relaxed, comfortable position. This involves placing the tongue lightly on the top/roof of your mouth wherever it is most comfortable while allowing the teeth to come apart, and relaxing the jaw muscles.

How should I rest my jaw with TMJ? ›

Place your tongue on the top of your mouth, behind your upper front teeth. Allow your teeth to come apart (your mouth to open) while relaxing your jaw muscles. Let this be a natural relaxation rather than forced as your goal is to loosen up your tense jaw muscles.

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