Discover expert insights on sleeping tmj. Professional advice and tips from LA Mattress Store to improve your sleep and comfort.

There’s nothing worse than waking up in pain. Sleep should leave you rejuvenated, refreshed and rested but when living with a condition such as TMJ or TMD (Temporomandibular Joint Disorder), this can be hard to achieve. To make matters worse, TMJ is a very individualized condition and the causes and symptoms are specific to each individual. One of the best ways to begin tackling your TMJ issues is to evaluate how you sleep and how that may be affecting your condition.
The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is the joint on either side of your face. The joint is a hinge that connects your jaw to the temporal bones of your skull, which are in front of each ear. These joints and jaw muscles allow you to move your jaw up and down, side to side, forward and backwards, so you can talk, chew, yawn or swallow.
Problems or disorders of this area of your jaw (TMJ disorders) are a result of issues with the chewing muscles and joints that connect your lower jaw to your skull.
According to WebMD TMJ can cause severe pain and discomfort on one or both sides of your face, which may be temporary or last several years. It’s more common in women and most often occurs within the 20 to 40 age group. The most common symptoms of TMJ include:
We don’t know what causes TMJ but many dentists believe symptoms arise from problems with the jaw muscles or with the joint itself. These problems can result from any of the following:
Other factors that might make TMJ symptoms worse are stress, poor diet, lack of sleep, arthritis, fractures, dislocations and structural problems present since birth.
For those who suffer from TMJ, some of the worst strain can occur during sleep. While sleep is essential in helping to manage symptoms, it can be difficult for sufferers to achieve a healthy night’s sleep. Certain sleeping positions can exacerbate problems and pain related to TMJ.
Your sleeping position influences a number of TMJ issues, including strain on the muscles of the face, jaw and shoulders. Your sleeping position also affects how your head and neck are supported and can determine the likelihood of clenching or grinding your teeth. If you find yourself waking up with a headache, ear or jaw pain, there’s a big chance your sleeping position may be the culprit.
Best position to help TMJ symptoms? Sleep on your back. There are a number of back sleeping benefits:
The worst position for TMJ? Sleep on your stomach. But sleeping on your side with an arm under your head can be just as damaging. Both of these sleeping choices cause your posture to be out of alignment, making TMJ symptoms worse.
Sleeping on your back, if it isn’t already your first choice, can be a hard habit to get yourself into. These tips can help you get more comfortable with sleeping on your back and allow you to wake up well rested and pain free.
Sleeping is just one of the factors in managing and improving TMJ symptoms. If you would like to know more about symptom relief.
Start with a mattress type that suits how you sleep, then compare the feel in person.
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Est. $124.84/month for 6 months
Item-price payoff target · excludes taxes and fees.
Synchrony · No interest if paid in full within 6 months. Subject to credit approval.
Interest is charged from the purchase date if not paid in full in time. Minimum monthly payments are required and may not repay the balance in time.
This item price meets the 6-month deferred-interest threshold. We use the longest confirmed period available at this price. Avoiding interest requires paying the promotional balance in full before the deadline. Lender fees can affect total cost; this selection does not establish the lowest total borrowing cost.
This illustration divides the displayed price of $749.00 for one selected item by 6 months, rounding up to the next cent. It is not the lender’s required payment or billing schedule. Check the promotional deadline on your statement and pay the full promotional balance before it ends.
Taxes, delivery, recycling charges and any lender promotional fees are excluded. Fees may add to the total borrowing cost. Additional discounts can change plan eligibility and the amount financed. Confirm the final purchase amount and applicable terms with the store before arranging financing.
Credit approval, applicable account terms and purchase eligibility apply.
How Synchrony deferred interest works
Est. $158.17/month for 6 months
Item-price payoff target · excludes taxes and fees.
Synchrony · No interest if paid in full within 6 months. Subject to credit approval.
Interest is charged from the purchase date if not paid in full in time. Minimum monthly payments are required and may not repay the balance in time.
This item price meets the 6-month deferred-interest threshold. We use the longest confirmed period available at this price. Avoiding interest requires paying the promotional balance in full before the deadline. Lender fees can affect total cost; this selection does not establish the lowest total borrowing cost.
This illustration divides the displayed price of $949.00 for one selected item by 6 months, rounding up to the next cent. It is not the lender’s required payment or billing schedule. Check the promotional deadline on your statement and pay the full promotional balance before it ends.
Taxes, delivery, recycling charges and any lender promotional fees are excluded. Fees may add to the total borrowing cost. Additional discounts can change plan eligibility and the amount financed. Confirm the final purchase amount and applicable terms with the store before arranging financing.
Credit approval, applicable account terms and purchase eligibility apply.
How Synchrony deferred interest works
Est. $146.50/month for 6 months
Item-price payoff target · excludes taxes and fees.
Synchrony · No interest if paid in full within 6 months. Subject to credit approval.
Interest is charged from the purchase date if not paid in full in time. Minimum monthly payments are required and may not repay the balance in time.
This item price meets the 6-month deferred-interest threshold. We use the longest confirmed period available at this price. Avoiding interest requires paying the promotional balance in full before the deadline. Lender fees can affect total cost; this selection does not establish the lowest total borrowing cost.
This illustration divides the displayed price of $879.00 for one selected item by 6 months, rounding up to the next cent. It is not the lender’s required payment or billing schedule. Check the promotional deadline on your statement and pay the full promotional balance before it ends.
Taxes, delivery, recycling charges and any lender promotional fees are excluded. Fees may add to the total borrowing cost. Additional discounts can change plan eligibility and the amount financed. Confirm the final purchase amount and applicable terms with the store before arranging financing.
Credit approval, applicable account terms and purchase eligibility apply.
How Synchrony deferred interest works
Est. $91.63/month for 24 months
Item-price payoff target · excludes taxes and fees.
Synchrony · No interest if paid in full within 24 months. Subject to credit approval.
Interest is charged from the purchase date if not paid in full in time. Minimum monthly payments are required and may not repay the balance in time.
This item price meets the 24-month deferred-interest threshold. We use the longest confirmed period available at this price. Avoiding interest requires paying the promotional balance in full before the deadline. Lender fees can affect total cost; this selection does not establish the lowest total borrowing cost.
This illustration divides the displayed price of $2,199.00 for one selected item by 24 months, rounding up to the next cent. It is not the lender’s required payment or billing schedule. Check the promotional deadline on your statement and pay the full promotional balance before it ends.
Taxes, delivery, recycling charges and any lender promotional fees are excluded. Fees may add to the total borrowing cost. Additional discounts can change plan eligibility and the amount financed. Confirm the final purchase amount and applicable terms with the store before arranging financing.
Credit approval, applicable account terms and purchase eligibility apply.
How Synchrony deferred interest works
Est. $92.42/month for 12 months
Item-price payoff target · excludes taxes and fees.
Synchrony · No interest if paid in full within 12 months. Subject to credit approval.
Interest is charged from the purchase date if not paid in full in time. Minimum monthly payments are required and may not repay the balance in time.
This item price meets the 12-month deferred-interest threshold. We use the longest confirmed period available at this price. Avoiding interest requires paying the promotional balance in full before the deadline. Lender fees can affect total cost; this selection does not establish the lowest total borrowing cost.
This illustration divides the displayed price of $1,109.00 for one selected item by 12 months, rounding up to the next cent. It is not the lender’s required payment or billing schedule. Check the promotional deadline on your statement and pay the full promotional balance before it ends.
Taxes, delivery, recycling charges and any lender promotional fees are excluded. Fees may add to the total borrowing cost. Additional discounts can change plan eligibility and the amount financed. Confirm the final purchase amount and applicable terms with the store before arranging financing.
Credit approval, applicable account terms and purchase eligibility apply.
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