Franklin, TN
Do you have severe headaches that occur on a regular basis?
Do you have headaches that do not respond to standard means of treatment?
Have you been diagnosed with migraines but struggled to find relief?
If you can answer yes to any of these questions, your headaches actually could be a symptom of a case of temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD).
Nothing can disrupt your daily life and routine quite like chronic pain like the pain that comes from frequent headaches. If you live with significant pain on a daily basis, it impedes your ability to perform at work and school, complete household tasks, and enjoy your favorite activities. If you are dealing with any of the conditions listed above, then you should be seen by a neuromuscular dentist like Lee Palmer, DDS.
Evaluating the link between TMJ and headaches is a complicated topic. Many patients benefit from face-to-face consultation with a qualified medical professional to obtain a better grasp of this information. If you or someone you love has been living with frequent, painful headaches and you think TMJ could be the cause, schedule a consultation with our office.
TMJ, headaches and the trigeminal nerve
Also known as TMJ disorder or TMD, temporomandibular joint disorder refers to any dysfunction in the temporomandibular joint, which connects the jaw joints to the skull. Any problem in the temporomandibular joint will become more widespread, first affecting the ability of the jaw joints to function, and then impacting the surrounding musculature, nerves, and blood vessels. One nerve that is affected often by a case of TMD is the trigeminal nerve, which also happens to transmit more sensory input to the brain than any other neural pathway in the body—even the spinal cord.
The trigeminal nerve also is responsible for several other important functions, such as:
- Sending commands that control facial expressions
- Several crucial, involuntary functions that manage the safety and comfort of the brain, including air pressure and blood supply, via the Eustachian tubes
- Signals of pain
In essence, a patient experiencing headaches caused by TMJ disorder is dealing with a variety of tension headaches. Medical science differs regarding the specific cause of certain types of tension headaches, such as migraines, but any tension headaches involve stimulation of the trigeminal nerve. The trigeminal nerve can become impacted or compressed as a consequence of TMD. When this happens, the nerve transmits signals of pain to the outer covering of the brain, causing those painful headaches.
This also provides more insight as to why patients who have severe headaches caused by TMD often are misdiagnosed as having migraines, instead. Click here to learn more about the comparison between TMJ headaches and migraines.
If you are having headaches caused by TMJ disorder, even the most powerful prescription medications available will not provide lasting relief—only the symptoms will be treated, not their frequency. The only way to stop having these headaches is to find treatment.
Headache relief is within your reach
If you have been living with painful headaches for a significant period of time and have yet to find a long-lasting remedy, TMJ disorder could be the cause. If you have TMD or think you could be having problems related to this disorder, then you should seek the care of a neuromuscular dentist. A specialization of dental science, neuromuscular dentistry focuses on finding or restoring the ideal alignment of the bite and jaw. After completing significant post-graduate education following dental school, neuromuscular dentists have unique training to diagnose and treat TMJ disorder. By treating the dysfunction of the temporomandibular joint, any secondary maladies caused by the disorder—such as painful headaches—also will be resolved.
Do I have TMJ disorder?
The most common cause is a blow or impact sustained to the jaw, head or neck. If you have suffered this type of injury and subsequently experienced jaw pain, then you should be evaluated to see if you have TMJ disorder.
Other common symptoms include a limited range of motion of the jaw, or hearing a clicking or popping sound as your jaws open and close. Here is a more thorough list of TMD symptoms.
Schedule your appointment at Lee Palmer, DDS, today. Call (615) 794-0756 or visit us online to schedule a consultation.