Does Your Headache Mean TMJ Disorder?

If you have headaches on a frequent basis but haven’t discovered the cause, you may consider seeing your Gary, IN, dentist. Often, TMJ disorder, also known as TMD, could lead to frequent migraines and aches, as well as other uncomfortable symptoms. In today’s blog, we’re going to explain how to recognize the disorder and discuss the noninvasive treatment options we provide.

The Link Between TMD and Headaches

TMJ disorder occurs when the temporomandibular joints become strained and stressed. These joints connect your jaw and skull, and control the movements needed to eat and speak. The strain could eventually create problems opening and closing your mouth, and even lead to a higher risk of chronic teeth grinding, also known as bruxism. Headaches and migraines are common symptoms of this issue!

Causes and Other Symptoms

The strain could be the result of injury to your face or jaw, dental misalignment, tooth loss, untreated bruxism, or other factors that upset the balance of your bite. Along with headaches, people may report a popping or crackling sensation in their jaw, along with facial and jaw pain, and aches in the neck and shoulders. If you grind your teeth, then you may also experience sensitive teeth and toothaches. If you have experienced one or more of these potential symptoms, then we urge you to give us a call right away.

Treating Your TMJ Headaches

To start, we will carefully examine your smile with advanced digital technology, so we can better understand the causes of your TMD troubles. With this formation, we can create a treatment plan. For some, we could suggest orthodontic care, including braces or clear aligners, to correct misalignment and improve bite balance. We could also improve bite balance by placing crowns and other restorations.

However, the most common treatment option is an oral appliance. We take detailed images and measurements of your smile with digital technology, and then combine them to create a 3D model. In a dental lab, we then design and craft the oral appliance, which is custom fitted to your smile. Worn as you sleep, the device looks and fits like a mouthguard. When in place, the device then repositions the jaw to ease strain, so you avoid TMD headaches. The appliance also provides a barrier between the upper and lower sets of teeth to avoid further damage from teeth grinding. If you have any questions about our treatment options, then contact our team today to learn more!

DO YOU HAVE QUESTIONS ABOUT OUR TREATMENTS?

We want to provide relief from the jaw and head pain associated with disorders like TMD or bruxism. Contact Healthy Smiles in Northwest IN by calling 219-938-2637 to learn more about our preventive treatment options and how to improve your oral hygiene!