Can TMJ disorder cause frequent headaches?

Can TMJ disorder cause frequent headaches?

TMJ San AntonioTMJ is the common vernacular for temporomandibular joint. This is the hinging joint located at the top of the jaw in front of your ears that allows free movement when you speak, chew, yawn, laugh, smile, or basically use your mouth. Discomfort in the TMJ can limit your ability to move your mouth from side to side or up and down.

When the joint becomes inflamed, it can result in pain in the neck, jaw, ears, mouth, and/or can result in frequent headaches. It can affect one side or both.

TMJ disorder is also referred to as TMD. The discomfort associated with TMD can be due to a variety of issues from overuse or trauma to the muscles in the jaw or problems with the joint itself.

The source of the pain is often difficult to pin down. It can be due to an injury, arthritis, irregular jaw movement from things like biting nails, or stress that results in teeth grinding or jaw clenching that puts pressure on the joint. A visit to the dentist to review what may be causing your condition is needed to find a solution.

A malocclusion may also be at the root of the problem. When the top teeth do not correctly match up to their bottom counterparts, the patient may experience chewing difficulties leading to discomfort. Your dentist can easily see if this is a concern.

Things that may bring relief include taking over the counter medications to reduce inflammation (NSAIDS or ibuprofen), cold packs applied directly to the jaw followed by a heat pack, modifying your diet to include soft foods, and cutting foods into small bites to minimize chewing. Try to prevent opening your mouth wide, and avoid very crunchy or chewy foods.

Another solution may be to start wearing a mouthguard during periods of sleep. This should be customized especially for you which means you should not try to resolve your condition by investing in a one-size-fits-all mouthguard you can buy at the drugstore or online. If it doesn’t fit properly or is uncomfortable, you will not wear it. A night guard can prevent teeth grinding relieving pressure on the TMJ.

Of course, frequent headaches can be due to many things … if treatment for TMJ related issues does not bring relief, continue to pursue the problem until a solution is found. 

If you’re concerned about symptoms, contact our office today for an evaluation!