Recently, a company by the name of Deluxe Comfort began marketing a pillow designed for side sleepers to those who are suffering from severe TMJ pain. Called the Better Sleep Pillow, the product’s unique design and memory foam construction is said to relieve TMJ pain throughout the night by straightening and correctly supporting the spine. Unfortunately, those who suffer from TMJ pain associated with untreated TMD require much more treatment than sleeping on a special pillow.
Why Treatment is Superior to a Pillow
Pain in the jaw from TMD occurs when the bite of the mouth is out of alignment. As this occurs, the jaw bone wears on the muscles that allow it to move freely, causing pain and discomfort in the jaw along with tension and pain in the neck, back and shoulders, and severe headaches and inner-ear pain, as well. The Better Sleep Pillow uses memory foam to allow for comfort in the head and neck while you sleep, and the unique design allows side sleepers to comfortably sleep with their arms over their heads. Because of the shape, it is nearly impossible for those who sleep on their backs or stomachs to gain any comfortable rest. Even if the product did help with TMJ pain, the relief would only be temporary; as it wouldn’t address the root cause of the problem.
People suffering from TMJ pain require treatment that specifically targets the cause, not the symptoms. If you are experiencing severe headaches, back and neck tension or jaw pain associated with TMD, contact Dr. Kevin Berry to schedule an appointment online or call (303) 691-0267 today.
