Are you suffering from frequent headaches but aren’t sure what’s causing them? In some cases, it could be a symptom of a problem with the temporomandibular joints (TMJs) that connect your lower jaw to your skull. Being able to recognize the cause of your pain is often the first step to finding lasting relief. As such, here’s a closer look at what TMJ headaches feel like as well as how you can address them.
How Can TMJ Disorder Cause Headaches?
A TMJ disorder can occur if the jaw joints are overworked or injured, often as a side effect of frequent grinding and clenching of the teeth. The excessive pressure on the jaw joints can cause tension in the muscles around them, which in turn can lead to pain in your head.
How Do TMJ Headaches Feel?
TMJ headaches can occur in various regions of the head and face, but you’re generally likely to feel the most pain in your temples (the sides of your forehead) as well as your jaw, your cheeks, and the area behind your eyes. They often feel like tension headaches, causing discomfort that’s comparable to having a tight band wrapped around the head.
You can generally expect a TMJ-related headache to be accompanied by other symptoms of a TMJ disorder, such as:
- Pain specifically around the jaw joint area.
- Earaches.
- Neck pain.
- A clicking or popping sound when you move your jaw.
- Difficulty chewing.
What Can You Do About a TMJ Headache?
If you believe that your headaches are caused by a TMJ disorder, your best option is to have the problem diagnosed and treated by a professional. Your dentist can examine your jaw and capture any necessary X-rays to determine whether there’s an issue with your TMJs. Once they have all the information they need, they can help you explore your options for treatment, which could include:
- Equilibration: If the teeth don’t come together as they should, they can cause tension in the muscles around the jaw joints. With equilibration, your dentist can make small adjustments to your upper and lower rows of teeth so that they come in contact in all the right spots, thus allowing your TMJs to find their proper resting position.
- Occlusal Splint: An occlusal splint is designed to move the lower jaw slightly forward so that the TMJs can get some rest. On top of that, it can also provide protection against grinding and clenching of the teeth.
- BOTOX Injections: BOTOX doesn’t just smooth out wrinkles; it can also be used to help relieve TMJ pain. A BOTOX injection in the jaw causes the muscles in that area to relax, thereby decreasing tension.
In short, TMJ headaches are painful, but there are multiple ways to alleviate them. If you’re suffering from frequent head and jaw pain, don’t be afraid to reach out to your dentist to see how they can help.
About the Practice
At Lakewood Complete Dentistry, our dentists bring fully personalized, comprehensive care to patients of all ages. We’ll help you stay as comfortable as possible while working to meet your unique dental needs. When it comes to treating TMJ disorder, we offer multiple solutions, including equilibration and occlusal splints. If you think there may be a problem with your jaw joints, you can schedule an appointment with our team by visiting our website or calling (303) 238-2800.