{"id":143,"date":"2024-09-01T19:54:35","date_gmt":"2024-09-01T19:54:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.sleepbetterdentistry.com\/blog\/?p=143"},"modified":"2024-09-25T19:55:49","modified_gmt":"2024-09-25T19:55:49","slug":"when-jaw-pain-gives-rude-awakening","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.sleepbetterdentistry.com\/blog\/?p=143","title":{"rendered":"When Jaw Pain Gives You a Rude Awakening"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\"Woman<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

You had a rough time sleeping one night, and when you woke up, you immediately understood why. Your jaw ached<\/a>! Sleepy soreness can happen from time to time, so maybe you wrote it off as the result of an unfortunate neck position. But if you\u2019ve experienced this rude awakening for days on end now, you\u2019re probably starting to doubt that theory.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Although the neck, upper back, and shoulder areas are tightly connected and can cause pain in your face, odds are in this situation, the real problem is your TMJ. What\u2019s a TMJ, and what can you do about it? Keep reading to find out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

What is My TMJ?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

\u201cTMJ<\/a>\u201d is short for your \u201ctemporomandibular joint\u201d. You might also see the abbreviation \u201cTMD\u201d, which simply stands for \u201ctemporomandibular disorder\u201d. This joint is located towards the back of your jawbone, right around your ear canal. Similar to how your knee and elbow joints let you bend at those areas, your TMJ allows your jaw to open and close.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why Do I Have This Disorder?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Professionals aren\u2019t really sure what causes TMD, but they have identified a few factors that can contribute to the problem, including:<\/p>\n\n\n\n