In this episode of TMJ Unlocked, we explore how sleep affects the nervous system, pain, mental health, and hormones. Poor sleep can make your body more sensitive to pain, increase stress, and make it harder to recover.

We also discuss the connection between poor sleep, anxiety, depression, and hormone changes.

Better sleep may help your body regulate, recover, and feel better.

In this episode of TMJ Unlocked, we’re answering one of the most common questions people have about jaw pain, clicking, popping, headaches, and other TMJ symptoms.

Sometimes symptoms can improve on their own—but does that mean the underlying problem is gone? We’ll talk about what your symptoms may be telling you, when it’s worth paying attention, and why waiting it out isn’t always the best approach.

Tune in to learn more about TMJ symptoms and what you can do when your jaw isn’t feeling quite right.

Poor sleep doesn't just leave you feeling tired—it can affect your hormones, too.

In this episode of TMJ Unlocked, we explore the connection between sleep and women's hormones. We discuss how poor sleep may contribute to hormonal imbalances and why hormonal changes during and after menopause can increase the risk of developing sleep apnea.

Join us as we unpack the relationship between hormones, menopause, sleep, and overall health—and why understanding these connections matters.

In Part 2 of our conversation about sleep aids, we dive into their pros and cons and discuss what they can—and can’t—do for your sleep.

We’ll also explore different ways to improve sleep by addressing underlying concerns related to breathing, airway health, and TMJ.

If you’re struggling with sleep or relying on sleep aids, this episode can help you better understand your options.

🎙️ Tune in to TMJ Unlocked for more conversations about TMJ, sleep, airway health, and better sleep.

Listen in to TMJ Unlocked as we talk about different sleeping aid options and their pros and cons.

Dr. Gunnerson and Mindy Lunceford explore the symptom of snoring and its underlying causes and possible treatment options.

Have you ever wondered if Botox is actually beneficial? Especially wondering if Botox is beneficial for headaches or jaw pain? Dr. Gunnerson and Mindy address these questions and more in today's episode of TMJ Unlocked. 

We address things such as migraine relief, long term effects of Botox, side effects of Botox, sleep apnea, Myofunctional Therapy, and jaw pain.

Tune in today to learn how Botox may or may not be beneficial to you! 

If you struggle with tonsillitis, chronic sore throat, or swollen tonsils, you might be surprised to learn how these issues can overlap with TMJ dysfunction. In this video, we break down the relationship between tonsils, throat inflammation, and jaw pain, explaining how TMJ problems can sometimes worsen throat discomfort or even mimic tonsillitis symptoms.

You’ll learn:

What tonsils are and why they become inflamed

Common signs of tonsillitis, including sore throat, fever, and difficulty swallowing

How TMJ disorders can cause jaw tension, ear pain, headaches, and throat pressure

How myofunctional therapy can help

Many viewers ask:

“Can TMJ cause throat pain?”

“Why do my tonsils feel swollen when my jaw hurts?”

“Is my sore throat actually tonsillitis or TMJ?”

This video gives clear, easy‑to‑understand explanations to help you make sense of overlapping symptoms while encouraging you to consult a qualified healthcare professional for personalized guidance.

Like, subscribe, and share if you know someone dealing with jaw pain, throat issues, or recurring tonsillitis.

Unlock the hidden connection between TMJ dysfunction and migraine pain. If you struggle with jaw tension, clicking, facial pain, or chronic headaches, this episode of TMJ Unlocked breaks down why your jaw may be the missing link behind your migraines. We share what you can do to finally get relief.

• How jaw joint inflammation and muscle tension activate the trigeminal nerve, a major migraine pathway
• Common TMJ Symptoms that often go unnoticed but worsen headache frequency
• Why Stress & Clenching intensify both TMJ pain and migraines
• How sleep apnea is tied into migraines
• Treatment Options that reduce jaw tension and help prevent migraine flare‑ups

TMJ dysfunction can overstimulate the trigeminal nerve, tighten surrounding muscles, and disrupt normal jaw mechanics, all of which can spark or worsen migraine attacks. When the jaw is misaligned or overworked, the entire head and neck system becomes more sensitive, making migraines more frequent and more intense.

• Anyone with chronic migraines
• People with jaw pain, clicking, or clenching
• Those who grind their teeth at night
• Anyone seeking migraine relief

Stay updated with expert‑backed strategies to relieve jaw pain, headaches, and facial tension.

Irregular sleep is more than a bedtime struggle, it may be affecting how children learn, remember, and communicate. In this episode, we break down new research showing how inconsistent sleep patterns are linked to memory decline and weaker verbal development in children. You’ll learn why sleep consistency matters, how it shapes brain growth, and simple steps families can take to support healthier cognitive development. Perfect for parents, educators, and anyone invested in childhood well‑being.

Pediatric Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) is one of the most overlooked causes of poor sleep, behavior issues, and developmental challenges in children. In this episode of TMJ Unlocked, we break down exactly what pediatric OSA is, why it happens, and how airway growth, tongue posture, and jaw development all play a role. Dr. Gunnerson explains the airway, making complex anatomy easy to understand.

We also cover the AHI Index (Apnea‑Hypopnea Index) — the scoring system used to diagnose sleep apnea — and what the numbers actually mean for kids. Parents, dentists, orthodontists, ENTs, and sleep professionals will all find value in this full explanation of how airway structure affects breathing and sleep.

In this episode you’ll learn:

Pediatric OSA basics and early warning signs

AHI Index ranges for children and adults and what “mild,” “moderate,” and “severe” mean

Airway anatomy explained

Airway‑focused orthodontics and how jaw growth impacts breathing

Tongue posture, nasal breathing, and facial development

TMJ and airway connections often missed in traditional dentistry

How mouth‑breathing affects sleep, behavior, and long‑term health

AHI Index Quick Guide:

Normal: AHI < 1

Mild Pediatric OSA: AHI 1–5

Moderate Pediatric OSA: AHI 5–10

Severe Pediatric OSA: AHI > 10

Understanding these numbers helps parents and clinicians identify when a child’s sleep is being disrupted and when intervention is needed.

If your child snores, mouth‑breathes, grinds teeth, struggles with sleep, or shows signs of ADHD‑like behavior, this episode gives you the full breakdown of what might be happening and why.

Pediatric Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) is more common than many parents realize and often goes undiagnosed. In this episode, we break down what every family and parent should know about childhood sleep‑disordered breathing, including symptoms, causes, diagnosis, and treatment options.

We explore:

Pediatric OSA symptoms and early warning signs

Airway and Tongue posture

Sleep studies

Treatment options

Long‑term effects of untreated sleep apnea on behavior, growth, and learning

If your child snores, struggles with daytime fatigue, has behavioral challenges, or breathes through their mouth during sleep, this episode will help you understand what might be happening and what steps to take next.

Have questions about airway orthodontics, ADHD, or mouth breathing? Today's episode is for you! We're diving into airway orthodontics compared to orthodontics, ADHD and sleep in children, long face syndrome, Myofunctional Therapy, and more! Comment what you would like to see on our next podcast.

Ever wondered how your eating habits are affecting your sleep? Today on TMJ Unlocked, we're breaking down the science behind what you should and should not be eating for an overall healthy lifestyle. Visit tmjsleeputah.com to learn more!

Did you know massage therapy can have a positive impact on your breathing, sleep, and overall health? 

Today, in collaboration with TLC Massage Therapy Utah, we are exploring all things massage therapy, TMJ, myofunctional therapy, and overall wellness!

Important moments:

0:00 - introduction

1:07 - airway and sleep disordered breathing

1:38 - massage therapy resolves tension

2:18 - massage therapy is a touch therapy to relieve tension

4:15 - sleep posture 

6:55 - the purpose of massage therapy and the body healing itself

7:23 - total wellness

8:02 - the body needs relaxation

9:03 - myofunctional therapy

9:47 - how to break the cycle of tension and poor sleep

11:25 - conclusion

Comment what you would like to see on our next podcast! 

Have you ever wondered how all of your muscles and joints are connected? Today we're meeting with Tyler Cheatwood, owner of TLC massage, to discuss how all of the muscles in our body are connected and how they impact our sleep. We discuss how massage therapy can help muscles relax in order for you to get better sleep.

Important moments:

0:00 - introduction

0:42 - healing, and reducing muscle tension

1:26 - the body doesn't work in isolated parts

2:24 - what is TMJ

3:34 - TMJ muscles

4:55 - muscle attachments in the body

7:11 - overall wellness in the body

8:10 - how is sleep connected to TMJ and airway

10:15 - what fragmented sleep does to a body

12:24 - medication and sleep

13:37 - closing

If you have any questions or would like to know more, comment down below! We would love to hear from you. 

Have you ever wondered about the connection between mental health and sleep apnea? Today sleep apnea experts are diving into how your sleep could be impacting your mental health. 

We discuss: 

Anxiety and Sleep Apnea

Depression and Lack of Sleep

Sleep Apnea disguising as ADHD, especially in children

Cortisol and Poor Sleep

If you suspect you or your child might have trouble sleeping, give us a call (385) 446-4947 or visit our website TMJSleepUtah.com to schedule today!

Do you or your partner snore? Today we're talking with sleep experts on how to stop snoring through finding the root cause. We talk myofunctional therapy, airway evaluation, and sleep habits. Message us to learn more! 

Discover the healing power of salt caves and explore the health benefits of salt therapy in this podcast episode.

We break down how halotherapy, Himalayan salt caves, and salt caves may support respiratory health, relaxation, stress reduction, skin wellness, and overall well‑being.

Learn why salt caves are gaining popularity for natural healing, how dry salt therapy works, and who can benefit most. Whether you’re curious about wellness trends, holistic health, or alternative therapies, this episode explains everything you need to know about salt cave therapy and its benefits.

If you’re interested in natural wellness, holistic health, and stress relief, this episode is for you.

Ever wondered how your sleep is connected to your gut health? In this episode of TMJ Unlocked, we're breaking down just how your digestive system is tied into your jaw. We will look at solutions, diet approaches, and sleep recommendations. We'll take a deep look into how all of the body's systems are tied together, and how you can best balance your gut health. Tune in weekly for new episodes!