The temporomandibular joint or TMJ connects the jawbone and the skull. A dysfunction in this joint can lead to jaw pain, discomfort, clenching of teeth during sleep, and difficulty in chewing.
While sleeping, some strains on the head, jaw, or shoulders can lead to accumulated pressure in this joint resulting in discomfort and poor sleep. good sleeping positionand the comfortable sleeping surface will help to reduce the pressure and provide relief for a good night’s sleep.
Quick Look at Our Top 5 Picks
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 | Best for Stomach Sleepers |
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One needs to get a bed that does not put pressure on his/her jaw and that provide adequate support to the body. This is why we are giving out tips on some necessary sleeping considerations and the five (5) best mattresses for persons with TMJ problems.
Most Popular: Tea Leaf Classic by Keetsa
For people suffering from TMJ disorder, sleeping on their backs is the best position to relieve the jaw pains and prevent teeth clenching or grinding. This makes the Tea Leaf Classic one of the best mattresses for them.
| Features | Available Sizes |
| 90-day trial | Twin |
| 12-year warranty | Twin XL |
| Cotton and hemp blended cover, hybrid construction | Full |
| Medium-firm | Queen |
| Stomach and back sleepers | King & California King |
This is a medium-firm hybrid mattress with five distinct layers. The mattress hugs the body and supports the head and neck in a neutral position. Also, the muscles in the head and neck do not get strained as the highly responsive Comfort Foam works to relieve pressure points.
The topmost layer is premium fiberfill padding foam with moisture-wicking capabilities, aerated to aid airflow, release trapped heat, and minimize night sweats. The memory foam below it provides pressure relief on the head, neck, and spine.
A layer of several individually wrapped coils beneath two dense foams provide support and an even distribution of body weight. These pocketed coils aid motion isolation, give the mattress a great bouncy feeling and allow ease of movement on the mattress.
Pros:
- Bouncy and responsive.
- Great air circulation.
- Good structural support.
- Great motion isolation.
- Adequate edge support.
Cons:
- Quite heavy.
- May be too firm for lightweight individuals.
Budget Option: Nectar
Constant turning and tossing while sleeping can lead to poor sleep quality and fatigue. This is often a result of poor mattress quality, resulting in discomfort. The gel-infused memory foam mattress from Nectar ensures that there is no buildup of pressure in the temporomandibular joints, allowing individuals to have relaxed muscles while they sleep.
| Features | Available Sizes |
| 365-night trial | Twin |
| Lifetime warranty | Twin XL |
| Gel-infused memory foam, Cotton & Tencel cover | Full |
| Medium firmness level | Queen |
| Back, side, and stomach sleepers | King & California King |
Comprising of four layers, Nectar has a thick polyfoam base layer that provides sufficient comfort and support to the back sleepers. It supports the head, neck, and shoulders and ensures they are properly aligned. Its medium-firm property allows it to conform to the contours of the body and provide support.
The memory foam mattress features three comfort layers designed to isolate motion on the mattress and relieve pressure points on the body. For the side sleeper, these layers relieve strain on the head thereby reducing the likelihood of him/her waking up with a headache or pain in the jaw joint. The breathable Tencel-fiber cover of the mattress helps to promote adequate air circulation around the mattress.
Pros:
- Relieves pressure points.
- Sleeps cool.
- Compatible with various bed foundations.
- Eco-friendly material.
- Good motion isolation.
- Improved air circulation.
- Affordable price point.
Cons:
- Weak edge support.
- May not be flipped.
Best Luxury: DreamCloud Hybrid
To not aggravate jaw pains, it is necessary to properly position the face on a soft surface while sleeping. With its quilted foam top, the DreamCloud hybrid mattress relieves pressure from the face, neck, and shoulder joints.
| Features | Available Sizes |
| 365-night trial | Twin |
| Lifetime warranty | Twin XL |
| Tufted cashmere cover, hybrid construction | Full |
| Medium-firm | Queen |
| Stomach and back sleepers | King & California King |
It is a plush mattress that combines memory foam and coils to provide comfort and support. Sleepers have a ‘floating on the cloud’ type of feeling on this bed.
The pocketed coils and the base support foam strengthen the mattress to prevent it from sagging or sinking in. As a result, the edges do not compress a lot and you can sleep comfortably on the perimeter without falling off.
The coils keep the mattress bouncy and firm enough so that the sleeper can turn around with ease while sleeping without putting a strain on his/her jaw joints. They also regulate temperature on the mattress and promote airflow with help from the gel memory foam which also has a cooling effect.
Pros:
- Sleeps cool.
- Very responsive.
- Luxurious cover.
- Durable materials.
- Good edge support.
Cons:
- Poor motion isolation.
- Quite heavy.
Best for Side Sleepers: Bowery by Brooklyn Bedding
This all-foam mattress from Brooklyn Bedding is perfect for people with TMJ disorder. Its plush top offers good body conformance and relieves pressure points of the head, shoulder, and spine.
| Features | Available Sizes |
| 120-night trial | Twin |
| 10-year warranty | Twin XL |
| Gel-infused memory foam, cotton cover | Full |
| Medium firmness level | Queen |
| Stomach and side sleepers | King & California King |
Brooklyn Bowery comprises of three layers of foam which include a high-density support base foam and transition layer that provides support for the sleeper. The top layer consists of the innovative Energex foam infused with a cooling gel that has a cooling effect on the sleepers and prevents them from sweating excessively throughout the night.
The mattress cover is flame-retardant and made from high-quality knit cotton fabric. To provide further support, the Brooklyn Bowery which is an eco-friendly and toxic-free mattress can be used with various bed frames and foundations.
Pros:
- Responsive and airy.
- Temperature neutral.
- Relieves pressure points in the body.
- Good motion isolation.
Cons:
- Weak edge support.
- Cannot be flipped.
Best for Stomach Sleepers: Alexander Signature Hybrid by Nest Bedding
This product by Nest Bedding is a high-quality mattress designed to provide comfort and support for all sleepers including those that are suffering from temporomandibular joint pain.
| Features | Available Sizes |
| 100-night trial | Twin |
| Lifetime warranty | Twin XL |
| Cotton cover with a blend of polyester, Hybrid construction | Full |
| Medium firmness level | Queen |
| Stomach and back sleepers | King & California King |
The polyester-cotton blended cover is breathable, ensuring adequate air circulation during the night. It is quilted with a material that wicks away moisture, keeping the mattress and sleeper cool.
The gel-infused memory foam and the copper-infused Energex foam are gentle on the body and efficiently relieves pressure points. This prevents constant tossing and turning while sleeping, ensuring that the sleeper does not have to worry about pains in his/her jaw joints getting worse.
The pocketed coil system prevents excess sagging and effectively supports the weight of the stomach sleeper. It improves airflow while keeping it bouncy and responsive.
Pros:
- Bouncy and responsive.
- Durable materials.
- Good edge support.
- Sleeps cool.
Cons:
- Poor motion isolation.
- Heavy and tasking to reposition.
Key Considerations When Choosing a Mattress for TMJ
Construction and Material:
The wrong mattress for you equals discomfort and poor sleep. Poor sleep can lead to clenching of the jaw resulting in pain and discomfort. When choosing a mattress for TMJ issues, you need one that offers enough support so that your head does not get tilted to an uncomfortable angle. Whether all-foam, hybrid, or innerspring, you should get a mattress that is ideal for your body weight and satisfies your sleeping preferences without triggering allergies as you rest in any sleeping position.
Support:
Support in bed affects your body posture. You should go for a mattress that gives you adequate support so that your head, neck, and spine are kept straight and not bent. The mattress should also be very responsive, allowing you to turn on the bed easily.
Firmness:
Persons with TMJ disorder need a mattress that is gentle and relieves pressure from their jaw joints. The stress you exert on the head, jaw, and spine can lead to a buildup of muscle tension. Depending on body size and sleeping position, some models can be too firm or too soft for you. It is important to try out and review mattresses before purchase. This is why online mattress brands are becoming popular. They offer a trial period for sleepers to test-run their mattresses. You can return it if it does not satisfy your preference.
Temperature Regulation:
A suitable design should ensure the sleeper gets adequate air during the night. Mattresses that trap heat without expelling it will cause the sleeper to be uncomfortable. This will lead to tossing and turning which aggravates TMJ pains. Many mattress brands now utilize different technologies to aid heat regulation and proper air circulation.
Motion Isolation:
Constantly being woken up at night leads to poor sleep and can cause irritation and fatigue. Hybrid mattresses are better at preventing motion transfer than innerspring models. Memory foam and latex mattresses also excel in motion isolation.
Price Point:
There is a mattress for every budget. It is wise to consider durability when choosing a mattress at a particular price range. You would not want a lowly or highly-priced mattress that will not last long. Also, the size of the mattress determines its price. Decide on what you need in a mattress before making your purchase.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the best sleeping position for TMJ?
Wrong positioning of the neck and head can lead to jaw pain. Back sleeping is accommodating for all body parts, the jaw inclusive. Sleeping on your back supports the head and neck. It keeps your head, neck, spine, and hips supported and in a neutral position. Using soft, not-too-high pillows to cushion the spine or neck can also support the neck and relieve jaw pain.
How can I fix my TMJ issues at home?
A medium-firm mattress is always the better choice, accompanied with a good treatment plan based on your doctor’s recommendation. A good mattress hugs the body and relieves pressure points. Softer models tend to keep you out of balance and make you feel like you are sinking into it, while more firmer ones can exert more pressure on the body. Yet, the way mattresses feel is dependent on distinct factors for different individuals. To a lightweight person, a particular model might be too firm, while a heavier person, it is too soft. Also to a back sleeper, a mattress may be soft enough, but side sleepers may consider it to be too firm.
Does laying down make TMJ symptoms worse?
Laying down on a wrong mattress can worsen TMJ problems, keeping you discomfited and awake all night. A good sleeping position, a body-conforming, supportive, and comfortable mattress will do the magic of alleviating TMJ pains.
How can I relax my jaw at night?
The firmness of your mattress can affect the way you sleep and the alignment of your neck. To relax your jaw, you should place it on a surface that does not exert pressure on it, causing a strain on the muscles in that area. The right mattress is the one that helps in keeping the jaw relaxed.
Is it possible to sleep on your jaw wrong?
For stomach sleepers, it is possible to have severe jaw pain because of the pressure that the mattress exerts on your jaw directly, especially when you tilt the head to breathe better. The perfect mattress is therefore needed to relieve pressure on the jaw and keep it positioned neutrally. A soft pillow can help prevent jaw and neck pains. So, it is safe to say that there is a right and a wrong way to sleep when it comes to keeping the jaw correctly positioned.
Final Thoughts
Sleep is very important to keep us energized and active. A good night’s sleep, however, may be difficult for those with TMJ problems. Finding the right bed to sleep in can be all you need to relieve your pains and aches for improved quality of life.