Headaches? Your Jaw May Be To Blame Article

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Headaches? Your Jaw May Be to Blame

If you suffer from chronic painful headaches with migraine-like symptoms, you may have already visited your doctor but received little more than an effective pain medication from them.

Author: Sara Goldstein

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Many times, doctors are unable to diagnose the source of such headaches, or else they will give you a list of possible causes without any sure solution.

What many people don’t realize is that these painful headaches are all too often associated with a condition known as temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD). The headaches caused by this debilitating condition are so similar to migraines that they are often referred to as TMD migraines. TMD (sometimes referred to as “TMJ”) is a neuromuscular disorder that is treated by specially-trained dentists.

The particular jaw joint that causes these headaches is so intimately connected with your overall health that the pain can often radiate throughout the rest of your body: down your arms, neck, back, and shoulders. This is no minor symptom. Many patients report the pain as very disabling, interfering with every aspect of their daily lives.

How Does TMD Cause Headaches?
It may not seem like it, but the temporomandibular joint that causes all of these painful symptoms can have a dramatic effect on the placement of your muscles, tendons, and nerves. If your jaw joint is even slightly out of place, all of those other tissues will be as well. Over time, they will become swollen and inflamed, interfering with the natural movement of your jaw when you speak, swallow, or chew. Ultimately, severe headaches can be the result.
Since the symptoms of TMD headaches are so similar to migraines, many patients and doctors alike assume that’s what they are, not realizing that treatment of TMD could target the true source of these headaches and eliminate them altogether.

Treating TMD Headaches
Because treatment of TMD involves correcting problems with your jaw joint, which may have been out of order for years, it is not a quick fix. However, you can be assured that the source of your pain is being identified and directly addressed, and that permanent relief will ultimately be obtained from this specialized treatment.
Neuromuscular dentists have been specifically trained to diagnose and treat TMD in patients.

This is done by first determining your ideal jaw position, then developing the best possible course of treatment to help your jaw return to its natural, correct position.

Most neuromuscular dentists use a TENS (Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation) unit to diagnose TMD – a device that is designed to stimulate your nerves through a series of electrical impulses. These electrical impulses can block pain signals and prevent them from reaching your brain, while at the same time stimulating your body to produce endorphins. The TENS unit is an important tool for neuromuscular dentists because it allows the tension in the muscles surrounding your jaw to relax completely. Once this occurs, the dentist can determine the correct position your jaw should be in.

Treatment will vary depending upon your specific needs and circumstances, but the following procedures might be a part of your treatment plan:

• Orthodontics – Braces can help align your teeth and correct your bite, fixing your jaw position at the same time. Some patients opt for clear aligners such as Bioliners™ instead of the traditional metal wire-and-bracket braces.

• Orthotics – You may be fitted with an orthotic device to help your jaw gradually reposition its alignment.

• Restorations – Dental teeth restorations such as porcelain veneers, bridges, and crowns can be used to properly align your bite and keep your jaw in its ideal position. Dental implants may be necessary in order to fill gaps that have been caused by missing teeth, thus offsetting any opposing teeth.

If you are afflicted with constant, painful headaches and have been unable to determine their source, you may be suffering from TMD. A skilled neuromuscular dentist can examine you, diagnose you, and treat you if this is the case.

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For more information, please visit the website of the experienced Toronto neuromuscular dentist at Willow Dental.

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Headaches? Your Jaw May Be to Blame