TMJ and Migraines

Many people who suffer from chronic headaches and migraines do not realize that the root of their problem is a misaligned jaw. When your temporomandibular (jaw) joint is out of alignment, it puts constant strain on the muscles in your face, head, and neck that surround your jaw joint. Even when you are not talking or eating, stress is being placed on the misaligned joint. The result is a condition called temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD or TMJ), which causes symptoms such as headaches, neck pain, soreness in your jaw joint, and many others.

TMD is suspected as a trigger for migraines. Headaches caused by TMD can become so painful that they are also often misdiagnosed as migraines. Without thinking twice, you may believe your doctor and start taking pain medication to control these headaches. However, by correcting the cause of the problem (your misaligned jaw), you can find relief from your headaches once and for all.

What Causes the Headaches?

Constantly strained or contracted muscles will cause tension headaches. However, headaches from TMD can also be caused by a build-up of blood pressure. When the muscles in your face, head, and neck are strained, they prevent blood from flowing to the appropriate places. Your body will then attempt to fix the problem by sending more blood to the area. This increase in blood pressure can result in pain around your head, known as a vascular headache. Also, people who suffer from TMD often clench or grind their teeth, which can cause muscle pain and result in a headache.

Obtaining an Accurate Diagnosis

One way to find out if your headaches are caused by TMD is to visit a neuromuscular dentist, like Dr. Joel Miller. With his specialized training and years of experience, Dr. Miller can perform a series of diagnostic tests to record your jaw movements and determine if your bite is out of alignment. If you do have a misaligned jaw, he will work with you to develop a treatment plan that will meet your needs, relax your bite and related muscles, and alleviate your painful headaches. Once your jaw’s ideal resting position is determined, you will discuss how to permanently keep it that way, whether this is with orthodontics, Invisalign®, dental crowns, or, in severe cases, reconstructive surgery.

To learn more, please read Questions about TMJ/TMD Treatment.

If you are experiencing painful headaches or migraines, TMD might be to blame. If you live in the Valencia, California area, please contact Santa Clarita neuromuscular dentist Dr. Miller today to arrange your complimentary consultation.