Patients suffering from temporomandibular joint (TMJ) dysfunction are probably familiar with many of the adverse oral and whole body health effects of this disorder, including jaw pain, difficulty opening and closing the mouth, and a clicking or grinding sound during jaw movement. One common side effect of TMJ dysfunction that many patients are less familiar with is sleep deprivation. This can happen for a number of reasons. Some patients are just in too much pain to sleep comfortably and others can experience increased instances of sleep apnea. If you’ve been diagnosed with TMJ dysfunction or you’re concerned you may be suffering from this disorder, let your dentist know, and make sure you mention that you’ve been struggling with excessive exhaustion.
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