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TMJ and Headaches

The temporomandibular joint, or TMJ, is the hinge connecting the mandible (lower jaw) to the temporal bone (skull), right in front of the ear. Facial muscles attached to the TMJ move as you talk, chew food, or yawn. Problems with the joint or muscles can limit free movement and cause misalignment of the jaw, leading to pain, swelling, and migraine-like headaches, a condition called temporomandibular disorder, or TMD.

Symptoms of TMD can include neck and shoulder pain, inability to open the mouth wide, a jaw that “locks” open or closed, unusual clicking or popping sounds, difficulty or discomfort with chewing, toothaches, dizziness, nausea, earaches, even hearing or vision problems. A trained neuromuscular dentist, a specialist in treating jaw misalignment and related problems, can evaluate your symptoms and determine if you have TMD.

Causes of TMD

TMD symptoms, including headaches, can have several causes:

• Injury to the mandible (from a heavy blow or whiplash), the TMJ, or the facial and/or neck muscles
• Grinding of the teeth at night
• Dislocation of the disc (soft pad) between the ball and socket of the TMJ
• Osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis
• Chronic stress, causing over-tightening of jaw and facial muscles and/or teeth clenching

Self-care for TMD

Many simple things can be done at home to relieve TMD symptoms:

Hot and cold packs – Apply an ice pack to the painful area for several minutes; alternate with a warm moist towel. Repeat a few times daily.

Chewing – Avoid foods that are hard to chew (like raw vegetables), extremely chewy or sticky, or that require you to open your mouth wide (like thick sandwiches). Don’t crunch ice or chew gum.

Jaw movements – Avoid extreme jaw movements like yawning, and yelling or singing requiring you to open your jaw wide.

Good posture – Keep your head centered above your shoulders; don’t rest your chin in your hand when sitting, and don’t hold the phone in place with your shoulder.

Over the counter medications – Take aspirin, ibuprofen, or naproxen to relieve muscle and headache pain and swelling. Use according to the manufacturer’s directions, and take with food to avoid stomach upset.

Neuromuscular dentistry and TMD

If self-care measures don’t relieve your discomfort, you may want to consult a neuromuscular dentist. He or she will examine you, evaluate your symptoms, check your jaw for limitations in movement, and evaluate your bite (tooth and jaw alignment) and facial muscle function. You may need X-rays or other imaging tests to reveal details of the bone.

Your dentist may recommend several additional types of treatment to relieve your TMD and headaches:

Physical therapy – exercises to stretch jaw muscles and/or ultrasound treatments

Massage therapy – bodywork to relieve tight muscles and enhance circulation

Relaxation or biofeedback therapy – techniques to help you relax, reduce stress, and help identify and minimize muscle tension

Orthodontics – a plastic splint or mouth guard to better align your jaw and prevent clenching and grinding of teeth

Corrective dental treatments – realignment of a jaw that has a bite problem, using crowns, bridges, or braces

TENS therapy – low-level electric current applied to the muscles of the TMJ and face to relax them

About the Author

If you live in the vicinity of Houston or the Woodlands, Texas, and are experiencing TMJ-related pain or headaches, please visit the website of Dr. Scott Young at Woodlands Premier Dentistry to learn more about neuromuscular dentistry treatment options.

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