Do you suffer from frequent headaches but can’t seem to discover the cause? Many people are surprised to learn that head pain is often linked to oral health issues. Both TMJ disorder (also known as TMD) and bruxism have been linked to headaches, as well as other serious oral health complications. How do you identify and treat these disorders? How do they cause migraines?
Frequently Asked Questions About Headaches and TMJ disorder or Bruxism
Question: Are migraines linked to TMD?
Answer: Yes. TMJ disorder occurs when the jaw joints undergo excessive strain, leading to trouble opening and closing the mouth. Common symptoms of TMD may include headaches, earaches, popping sensations in the jaw, pain the face and jaw, as well as neck and shoulder pain. If any of these symptoms sound familiar, then talk to your dentist to see if you might need treatment for TMD.
Question: Will grinding my teeth lead to head pain?
Answer: Yes. Patients with bruxism regularly grind their teeth or clench their jaws, often leading to headaches, jaw pain, toothaches, and tooth sensitivity. Over time, the issue can wear down teeth or cause them to chip or fracture, increasing the risk of teeth becoming decayed or infected.
Question: What causes TMD?
Answer: TMJ disorder may develop as a result of misalignment, tooth loss, or injury to the jaw or face. Bruxism shares many of these same causes and can also be the result of increased daily stress levels.
Question: Are these two issues connected?
Answer: In some cases, yes. Patients with TMD may develop bruxism as a result of jaw joint strain. In addition, teeth grinding can actually strain the jaw joints and lead to the onset of TMJ disorder. We can even treat both issues with the same treatment in some cases, using an oral appliance to ease stress on the jaw joint and prevent further damage from teeth grinding.
