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Submitted by: Dr. Daniel Burton, DDS
Many people experience severe discomfort as a result of issues related to the temporomandibular joint which is a big anatomical word commonly referred to as just TMJ. The TMJ is a joint that holds the jawbone to the skull, and it works as a typical ball and socket type mechanism. When it works correctly the jawbone can move up and down and also perform the side-to-side action required when we chew or gnash our teeth in a grinding fashion.
But often time the TMJ becomes out of synch or its range of motion is restricted or pulled out of proper alignment. That causes a host of different problems, including headaches. The symptoms can be severe but are often hard to diagnose because people may not know the source of the problem. In fact, most of these headaches are classified as a dental condition and they often need treatment by a qualified dentist not a chiropractor, massage therapist, or medical doctor.
Because there are TMJ joints on both sides of the jaw, the headaches they cause often radiate from one side to another, and they can lead to excruciating migraine headaches. The cause of the pain emanates from the TMJ, however, rather than from other typical sources of headaches such as diet or eye strain. Most often the misalignment of the TMJ comes about because of a trauma such as a severe blow to the head or jaw. So someone may begin to feel headaches related to TMJ after a boxing match or a car accident. But they can also be caused by conditions that happen over time, such as bone degeneration due to a lack of calcium, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, or any other condition that might cause inflammation around the TMJ. Some people just get TMJ headaches because they have a habit of clenching their facial muscles and jaw or because they unconsciously grind their teeth while sound asleep. Anything that overworks the muscles that work the jaw can aggravate the TMJ and ultimately lead to headaches.
In some cases though, the cause is not always clear. Responses to stress are also thought to be, at least, a contributing factor. Some people clench their jaw when feeling anxious, irritable or when concentrating, keeping the muscles of the TMJ in a contracted position. Clenching the jaw and grinding teeth while asleep is not uncommon either. Any habits that overwork the jaw muscle can intensify the pain of a TMJ disorder. The TMJ often clicks or locks up, which is uncomfortable, and that is one of the first signs that people suffering from TMJ issues usually notice. But some people continue to suffer from TMJ for years, and unfortunately many people who get TMJ headaches suffer without really understanding the relationship of cause and effect between the headache and their jaw joint.
Anyone who happens to have headaches of an unknown origin especially if they also have signs of a TMJ misalignment or dislocation should ask their dentist to evaluate the situation. By doing an examination a dentist can usually tell whether or not the TMJ is healthy and is working as it should, or whether there is a problem. In the event of TMJ trouble, a dentist is usually the expert most qualified to recommend a procedure or process to heal it and get things back to normal including the elimination of headaches caused by a disruptive TMJ.
About the Author: With an intense passion for optimal care comes Dr. Burton’s emphasis on exceptional service and esthetics. The services available in his Grand Rapids office are extensive and his team is highly trained to help create
healthy, beautiful smile
for each patient. http://www.danielburtondds.com
Source:
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