(443) 394-2273
If you regularly experience migraines, you may focus on triggers such as stress, sleep, dehydration, or certain foods. But for some people, jaw problems may also contribute to headaches and facial pain. Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) dysfunction can affect the muscles and joints responsible for moving your jaw, and its symptoms can sometimes overlap with or aggravate migraine symptoms.
How Can TMJ Dysfunction Affect Headaches?
Your jaw, face, neck, and head are connected by muscles, nerves, and other structures. When the temporomandibular joints or surrounding muscles become strained, you may experience pain around the jaw, temples, ears, or face. Some people also develop tension-type headaches.
TMJ dysfunction doesn’t necessarily mean it is the direct cause of a migraine. However, jaw clenching, teeth grinding, muscle tension, and disrupted sleep can potentially contribute to headache frequency or severity in some individuals.
Common signs of TMJ dysfunction include jaw soreness, clicking or popping, difficulty opening your mouth, facial tenderness, worn teeth, and discomfort when chewing. If you experience these symptoms along with frequent headaches, your dentist may evaluate whether jaw-related problems could be contributing to your discomfort.
What is Oral Appliance Therapy?
An oral appliance is a custom-made device that fits over your teeth. Depending on your specific condition, your dentist may recommend an appliance designed to reduce the effects of clenching or grinding, help protect your teeth, or alter how your jaw rests.
Unlike a generic mouthguard purchased at a store, a professionally designed appliance can be customized to your mouth and monitored by your dental team. Your dentist can evaluate how the appliance fits and make adjustments when necessary.
Could an Appliance Help Your Migraines?
If jaw muscle tension, nighttime grinding, or clenching is contributing to your headaches, treating those factors may help reduce symptoms for some patients. However, an oral appliance isn’t a universal migraine treatment, and headaches can have many different causes.
A dentist may recommend an evaluation of your bite, jaw joints, teeth, and muscle tenderness as part of determining whether TMJ dysfunction could be playing a role.
If you experience frequent migraines along with jaw pain, grinding, clenching, or other TMJ symptoms, talk with your dentist. Identifying potential contributing factors can be an important step toward finding an appropriate treatment plan and protecting your long-term oral health.
About the Practice
Diamond Dental of Owings Mills proudly offers TMJ treatments for patients whose quality of life suffers due to constant headaches, jaw pain, facial pain, and other symptoms. Our personalized oral appliances can help prevent nighttime clenching and grinding of the teeth and reduce the jaw pressure caused by bruxism. Don’t delay if you’re in pain. Visit our website to schedule your appointment or call our Owings Mills, MD office at (443) 394-2273.