The Hidden Link Between TMJ, Sleep, and Chronic Pain | Episode 67 with Dr. Emily Levy

Emily Levy is a dentist at Billings Family Dentistry, and she’s back with us for a follow-up conversation diving even deeper into the world of TMD, jaw pain, and how breathing dysfunction shows up as headaches, neck pain, posture issues, and chronic inflammation. We get right into how forward head posture, micro-traumas from daily jaw function, and sleep-related clenching create a cycle of pain that often gets misdiagnosed or temporarily managed with band-aid treatments like night guards, Botox, PT, or orthodontics. Emily breaks down why so many patients—children and adults—struggle with symptoms like ear ringing, migraines, facial pain, jaw popping, numbness in the hands, and even behavioral issues, all of which often trace back to airway and jaw instability.We also walk through the advanced diagnostics her TMJ Therapy Center team uses—including CT imaging, joint vibration analysis, autonomic motor nerve reflex testing, and muscle palpation—to identify the true source of dysfunction rather than chasing symptoms. Emily explains how chronic pain keeps the nervous system stuck in fight-or-flight, why kids rarely report their discomfort, and how addressing airway and jaw mechanics can completely change outcomes. This conversation is packed with clarity, practical insight, and a better understanding of the root causes so many families miss. Join Dr. Lauren LaRose, psychiatrist and mom of three, as she brings on experts in mental health, physical health and education and explores ideas outside the traditional medical model. The Little Brain Campaign aims to make issues kids and caregivers face easier to understand, while always keeping in mind that we need to look beyond the usual answers to find what really works.Follow The Little Brain CampaignInstagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/thelittlebraincampaign/⁠