Do My Headaches Point To TMJ Disorder?

Do you often experience headaches? If you have migraines and pain but can’t locate the cause, then consider seeing your Gary, IN, dentist. With our custom-made oral appliances, we can help treat your TMJ disorder, also known as TMD, and help you enjoy life with less frequent headaches.

Headaches and TMD

TMJ disorder involves inordinate pressure being placed on our temporomandibular joints, pressure that could lead to uncomfortable symptoms and over time, trouble fully opening and closing the mouth. Patients with the disorder often report migraines and headaches, as well as jaw pain, aches in the neck or shoulders, and popping or clicking in the jaw. The factors placing pressure on the jaw joints vary, but often include tooth loss, poor bite balance, dental misalignment, teeth grinding, stress, and injury to the face or jaw. As part of the diagnostic process, we will examine your teeth for signs of wear or fiction that point to teeth grinding, and look for indicators of pressure on the jaw joints. After we assess the cause and severity of your TMD, we then recommend treatment options. Don’t ignore these symptoms if you begin to experience them for yourself, please contact us today to schedule a consultation and diagnosis.

Treating Your Jaw Problems

How do we ease TMJ-symptoms, such as headaches or migraines? Well, we may suggest placing a warm washcloth against the side of the face to ease tension. Correcting misalignment with orthodontics, or placing a restoration to improve bite imbalance, can also ease your symptoms. However, we often treat the issue with an oral appliance. The appliance will look much like a mouthguard, but will be custom-made for your smile. The device fits comfortably and is worn as you sleep. While you rest, the device begins to ease tension on the jaws by repositioning the jaw itself. In addition to stopping head pain and other TMD symptoms, the appliance also prevents further damage to your smile if you happen to grind your teeth. The TMD appliance places a protective barrier between your sets of teeth, which prevents the worn enamel, cracks, and chips that sometimes occur with teeth grinding. If you have any questions about identifying and treating TMJ disorder, or if you’ve started experiencing the symptoms we’ve discussed in today’s blog, then contact our team today.

Ready to Treat Your TMD?

Our team is here to help you enjoy a healthier and more comfortable smile with preventive dentistry and custom-made oral appliances. To schedule an appointment to discuss our TMJ solutions and other preventive treatment options, contact Healthy Smiles in Gary, IN, by calling 219-938-2637, or by emailing our office at info@healthysmilesnwi.com. We also proudly serve the residents of Gary, Miller, Miller Beach, and all surrounding communities.