A lot of people are surprised to learn that temporomandibular joint disorders (TMD) can trigger migraine headaches. TMJ causes a shooting, traveling pain that often worsens when you chew, talk, or move your jaw. The first thing you should do if you suspect that your migraines are linked to TMJ is to see your doctor. They can perform an exam to determine whether you have TMJ or not and come up with the best-suited treatment for TMJ headaches.
Migraine and TMJ: Why Does It Trigger Headaches?
When a TMJ disorder causes your jaw to lock, it can put significant pressure on your cranial nerves. These nerves are responsible for feeling and stimulating the mouth and allowing your jaw to move. They send messages to your brain about chewing, talking, laughing, and more. The trigeminal nerve is the largest cranial nerve and runs through your jaw joint. It controls the muscles in your jaw, so an imbalance in the joint can overwhelm this nerve and lead to a migraine, which is one of many ways TMJ causes migraines.
You might not have thought your jaw could be the source of a headache, but that’s exactly what TMJ, or temporomandibular joint disorders, can do. If you or someone you know suffers from severe headaches, it’s highly advisable to visit a well-experienced TMJ doctor and seek a reliable TMJ headache treatment in Naperville.
Let’s learn more about how TMJ cause headache and leads to a severe condition like migraine:
Trigeminal Nerve Disorder
Trigeminal nerves connect your brain to your head and neck. They start at the lower part of your brain and branch-like veins through your skull to provide sensation to your eyes, eyelids, forehead, nostrils, cheek, lips, gums, and jaw. The nerves also carry signals to the jaw joint (temporomandibular joint or TMJ). Some TMJ disorders – such as temporomandibular joint disorder and excessive stress headaches – can trigger migraines. In such cases, it’s essential to consult a doctor for treatment for TMJ headaches.
Jaw Muscles
The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is a hinge that connects your jaw to your skull. It also enables you to open and close your mouth. When a problem occurs with the TMJ, you can experience a wide range of symptoms in your head, neck, and jaw. These include jaw pain, earaches, and headaches. One way to determine if your TMJ contributes to your migraine pain is to perform a simple test at home. Visit a nearby TMJ clinic and consult your doctor about TMJ migraine symptoms and how to deal with them.
Misaligned Teeth
The entire chewing system – teeth, jaw, muscles, ligaments, and nerves – is designed to work harmoniously for comfortable function. Misaligned teeth and a bad bite put a strain on your jaw muscles, which can lead to a headache. Teeth grinding or clenching, also known as bruxism, is one of many TMJ headache symptoms leading to both chronic and recurrent headaches. You may grind your teeth in the mornings or nighttime, which usually happens without realizing it.
Excessive Stress
Stress is a physical reaction that your body has to a situation that is either dangerous or exciting. It triggers your heart to beat faster, muscles to tense up, and your skin to become sensitive. While most people have a short-term stress, some people have long-term stress, which is more difficult to control and can make you feel depressed or anxious. It may also be accompanied by headaches and nausea, during which it is advisable to seek TMJ migraine relief through best-suited treatment.
Other Factors Causing Headache
Migraine headaches are a frustrating, debilitating condition that can leave you unable to think clearly and prone to sensitivity to light and sound. They can also cause nausea, vomiting, and other symptoms that may derail your day. Unlike chronic head pain, migraines are caused by nerves and blood vessels in the brain being affected due to stress, trauma, and overthinking, causing inflammation that leads to a wide range of TMJ headache symptoms.
When Should You Visit a TMJ Doctor?
If you suspect your headaches are related to your TMJ disorder, you can get diagnosed and treated by a neurologist or dentist specializing in TMJ and orofacial pain. Often TMJ causes migraines, but it’s essential to know if your migraine problem is due to TMJ disorder or other factors. This will help you get the best-suited treatment for headaches. It’s recommended to visit your doctor as soon as you start experiencing severe and recurring headaches.
Whether you experience a regular migraine or one that feels sporadic, identifying the symptoms and triggers of a migraine is an important step to managing them and getting relief. Doctors might also suggest behavioral therapies, such as breathing exercises, to help you manage your TMJ migraine symptoms and avoid triggers. They can also prescribe medications, such as NSAIDS and muscle relaxants, for more long-term relief.
Key Takeaways
One of the most common headache complaints is a migraine, which often leads to lost productivity and significant discomfort. More and more studies are linking TMJ symptoms to migraine, but it’s not clear whether the relationship is just a coincidence or if TMJ worsens headaches in some people and not others. However, what is clear is that a TMJ disorder can worsen a migraine more than other types of headaches. It’s important to identify a TMJ disorder when noticing a headache, especially if it doesn’t respond to over-the-counter medications or if your migraine symptoms are worsening. Visit the nearest TMJ clinic to learn more about Migraine and TMJ.
