Waking up tired after a full night of sleep can feel confusing, especially when you can’t pinpoint why it’s happening. For many patients, the issue isn’t how long they sleep, but how well they breathe while they sleep.

Sleep apnea can quietly interrupt that process over and over again, without you even realizing it. At our office, Dr. Varkey helps patients uncover what’s actually happening during sleep and guides them toward treatment that fits their lifestyle and comfort.

Life Feels Different With Better Sleep

More Steady Energy

When sleep isn’t being interrupted, your body has a better chance to fully recover overnight. Many patients notice they feel more consistent energy throughout the day.

Clearer Thinking

Restful sleep supports focus and mental clarity, making it easier to stay on task and think more clearly during daily activities.

Better Emotional Balance

Improved sleep can help support mood stability, making daily stress and frustration easier to navigate.

When Breathing Stops Without You Noticing

Sleep apnea happens when airflow is repeatedly reduced or blocked during sleep. The most common form, obstructive sleep apnea, occurs when soft tissues in the throat relax and narrow the airway.

Because these interruptions happen while you’re asleep, the effects usually show up the next day instead of during the night itself. Common signs your sleep may not be as restorative as it should be include:

• Loud snoring that may include choking or gasping sounds
• Waking up feeling unrefreshed even after a full night in bed
• Heavy daytime fatigue or low energy
• Difficulty focusing or staying mentally sharp
• Morning headaches or dry mouth
• Mood changes or irritability
• Frequent nighttime waking

Here’s a short video where Dr. Varkey explains what causes sleep apnea and possible treatment options:

The Connection Between Sleep and Childhood Behavior

Sometimes the effects of disrupted sleep show up in ways families don’t expect, especially in children.

While adults with sleep apnea often feel tired and sluggish during the day, children tend to react differently when their sleep is repeatedly interrupted.

Instead of appearing sleepy, children experiencing sleep-disordered breathing may become:

• Hyperactive or unusually restless
• Impulsive or easily frustrated
• Struggling to focus or stay on task
• More irritable or emotionally reactive

Because these behaviors closely resemble the signs commonly associated with ADHD, sleep apnea can sometimes go unnoticed or be mistaken for attention or learning concerns.

Why Early Answers Can Make a Difference

When breathing disruptions during sleep are discovered and addressed, many families notice meaningful changes in their child’s focus, behavior, and daily energy.

This is why evaluating airway health and sleep quality can play an important role in supporting a child’s overall development and wellbeing.

Getting to the Root of What’s Affecting Your Sleep

Step 1: Sharing What You’ve Been Experiencing

We begin with a relaxed conversation about your sleep, your energy levels, and any changes you or your partner have noticed. Dr. Varkey takes time to understand the full picture so nothing feels rushed or overlooked.

Step 2: Taking a Gentle Look at Your Airway

Next, Dr. Varkey examines your mouth, jaw, and throat to look for physical factors that may be making it harder to breathe comfortably at night. Small details like bite alignment or signs of clenching can reveal important clues.

Step 3: Learning What Happens While You Sleep

If sleep apnea is suspected, you may receive a simple at-home sleep study. This comfortable device gathers information about your breathing, oxygen levels, and heart rate while you rest in your own bed.

Step 4: Walking Through Your Results Together

Once your results are ready, Dr. Varkey sits down with you to explain what they mean and answer your questions. If needed, your care is coordinated with sleep physicians so your diagnosis and next steps feel clear and supported.

Step 5: Creating a Plan That Fits Your Life

With answers in hand, we design a treatment plan focused on improving your breathing, your sleep quality, and how you feel during the day, at a pace that feels comfortable for you.

A Treatment Option That Fits Into Real Life

For many patients with obstructive sleep apnea, treatment can be as simple as a small custom oral appliance worn at night.

This device gently adjusts the position of your jaw or tongue to help keep your airway open while you sleep. Instead of forcing air through a mask, it works with your natural breathing patterns. Patients often appreciate this option because it offers:

• Comfortable, lightweight design
• No tubing, masks, or noise
• Easy to travel with
• Simple nighttime routine
• Can be used alone or alongside CPAP when needed

Are You Ready to Feel Rested Again?

Understanding what’s happening while you rest can open the door to meaningful changes in how you feel each day. A sleep evaluation offers a simple first step toward clarity, comfort, and better nights ahead. And you don’t have to navigate it on your own. Dr. Varkey and our team are here to guide you with care at every step.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Is the Difference Between TMJ and TMD?

Although often used interchangeably, TMJ and TMD are not technically the same, even though they are indeed related. The temporomandibular joint, TMJ, acts like a hinge that slides in your mouth and connects your jawbone to your skull. TMJ is the actual part of the body. TMD, or temporomandibular joint disorders, defines the actual problem with the temporomandibular joint (TMJ). TMD can cause pain in those muscles that control jaw movement and your jaw joint. 

Because the terms are often used interchangeably, one can assume that TMJ and TMD refer to the same thing – a disorder in the jaw joint that leads to pain and discomfort.

While more people know it as TMJ vs. TMD, that is how we will refer to it going forward in addressing your TMJ questions.

If you think you might have TMJ, schedule an appointment with Dr. Praveen Varkey. He will happily discuss the treatment process that is best for you.

What Causes TMJ? 

The exact causes of TMJ  have not been discovered; however, dental professionals believe that symptoms arise from various issues with your jaw muscles or with parts of the joint area itself. 

If you have had an injury to your jaw, jaw joint, or the muscles surrounding your neck and head, such as a heavy object blow or whiplash, this can lead to TMJ.

Other causes of TMJ include:

• Movement of the soft disc between the socket and ball of the jaw joint
• Clenching or grinding your teeth causes pressure on the joint
• Stress which causes clenching
• Arthritis of your joint
• Stress and anxiety that leads to clenching and grinding

What Are the Symptoms of TMJ?

TMJ can cause severe discomfort and pain, and it can be temporary or last for a few years. It can also affect either one or both sides of the face. It is most common among people aged 20 to 40, and studies suggest that it occurs mainly in women than men.

TMJ symptoms include:

• Tenderness or pain in your jaw joint area, face, neck, and shoulders, 
• Pain around your ear when you speak or chew
• Lock or stuck jaw when in the open-or closed-mouth position
• Fatigue feeling in your face
• Headaches
• Popping, grating, or clicking sounds in the jaw joint when you open or close your mouth or chew. This might not be painful.
• Swelling on your face
• Uncomfortable bite or trouble with chewing. This might feel like your teeth do not fit together correctly.
• Problems with opening/closing mouth
• Toothaches

How Is TMJ Diagnosed?

Dr. Praveen Varkey will conduct a physical exam and talk to you about your medical health history to figure out if you have TMJ or not. Many other conditions cause similar symptoms to TMJ symptoms, such as sinus issues, arthritis, and tooth decay, so it’s important to see a professional to address the root problem. 

Dr. Praveen Varkey will check your jaw joints for tenderness or pain and listen for pops, clicks, or grating sounds when you move them. They will also ensure that your jaw works well and doesn’t lock when you close or open your mouth. They will also check for issues with your facial muscles by testing your bite.

You may require a full facial X-ray so that Dr. Varkey can better view your temporomandibular joints, jaws, and teeth to rule out any other potential oral problems. Other tests like magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or computer tomography (CT) may also be required. 

If your TMD is severe, Dr. Varkey may need to refer you to an oral surgeon (maxillofacial surgeon) for further treatment and care. This type of surgeon specializes in surgery in and around the entire face, jaw area, and mouth.

At-Home Remedies for TMJ 

Treatments for TMJ can cause pain relief, and there are various treatments you can do at home to relieve some of the TMJ symptoms. Dr. Varkey may suggest that you try some of these remedies together before seeking further medical help:

• Heat or cold packs to soothe the painful area
• Over-the-counter medications
• Eat soft foods
• Don’t rest your chin on your hand
• Keep your teet apart slightly
• Avoid extreme jaw movements
• Learn jaw relaxation techniques

Treatment for TMJ in Desoto

Apart from self-care treatments for TMJ, Dr. Varkey may also recommend the following treatments that can be done at our dental practice in Desoto:

• Medications such as NSAIDs (anti-anxiety, anti-depressants) that are only available by prescription but can help ease stress which relives jaw clenching
• Dental work such as braces or overbite correction surgery
• A splint or night guard
• Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS)
• Low-level laser therapy
• Trigger point injections
• Deep heat ultrasound
• Radio wave therapy
• TMJ Surgery

Botox for TMJ

Botox treatment for TMJ can be highly effective. Botox treatments have been found to significantly decrease pain and increase mouth movements for three months following the treatment. Another study found that TMJ symptoms improved in 90% of participants with TMJ.

If you would like to consider botox to treat your TMJ symptoms, Dr. Varkey will happily assist you with any questions you might have.

Get TMJ Treatment in Desoto Today

If you would like to learn more about TMJ treatment in Desoto, please schedule a consultation today or give us a call. Our compassionate and experienced team will happily assist you.