TMJ Headache Pain
TMJ Headache Pain | In short, the answer is no. But that would make for an awfully short article, wouldn’t it? Pain is something that always gets our attention, and for good reason. It is a warning sign that something is wrong with our bodies that needs addressing. In the case of headaches, it could indicate a number of things, at least one of which is related to the structure of the jaw.
If you’re dealing with frequent headaches, there is no reason to suffer in silence. Be sure to let your doctor or dentist know what you are dealing with so that they can provide a proper diagnosis and appropriate treatment. Depending upon the type of headache, severity, and frequency, there are numerous reasons why this could be happening to you.
One important question to ask yourself is if your headaches are accompanied by pain or soreness in your jaw? This could indicate that you have a problem with your temporomandibular joint, or TMJ Headache Pain.
What is the temporomandibular joint?
The temporomandibular joint is found in the area where your jawbone and skull meet, in front of your ear. It functions exactly like a hinge, allowing your jaw to move back and forth. This joint gets a lot of activity whenever you speak, eat, chew and yawn. It is a very complex joint, and when there is a problem with it, it can lead to something called TMD or TMJ disorder. It can cause TMJ Headache Pain.
What are the symptoms of TMJ disorder?
Some of the main symptoms of TMJ disorder are:
- Clenching or grinding the teeth
- Pain or ringing in the ears (tinnitus)
- Clicking, locking, or popping of the jawbone
- Facial pain or jaw pain (can feel like TMJ Headache Pain)
That brings us to another common symptom of TMJ disorder: severe and frequent headaches. TMJ is known to cause a type of headache that is severe and long-lasting, leading to problems with every day life and even sleep.
Since these types of headaches are caused by something deeper, over-the-counter pain relievers don’t typically work very well to provide relief, which can lead to feelings of frustration and hopelessness.
When To Seek Help for TMJ Headache Pain
If your symptoms are consistent with those of TMJ disorder, and your life is being disrupted by them, you need to seek medical help soon. Your doctor or dentist will examine you and should be able to provide a diagnosis and treatment, depending upon your symptoms.
In some cases, TMJ disorder will resolve itself on its own. But if you are experiencing frequent headaches, the situation needs to be addressed more quickly. In some cases, surgery may be necessary. In others, some other type of treatment may be more appropriate.
Occlusal Splint
This is a type of mouthguard that has helped to treat some people dealing with TMJ disorder, or TMJ Headache Pain. It is a custom mouthguard that fits the specific contours of each patient’s individual mouth, shifting the jaws gently into a more relaxed position. As with a conventional splint, this mouthguard helps relax agitated muscles so that they can heal over time, mainly while you are sleeping.
Contact Us
If you are dealing with frequent TMJ Headache Pain, be sure to let us know. If your symptoms appear to be related to TMJ disorder, we can provide you with an examination to make a diagnosis. At that point, we will recommend an appropriate treatment so that you can finally experience some relief from this unpleasant condition. Contact our office today!