Few patients think to mention their tension headaches during their routine dental appointments. However, headaches, and other symptoms like earaches or jaw pain, are relevant information for your dentist. Tension headaches can be the result of bite misalignment as well as tooth decay. If you are experiencing headaches frequently, we can help with headache treatment in Frederick, MD.
Our dental office team will analyze your bite and conduct an oral exam to find underlying dental problems. This consultation can help determine the cause of your headaches. From there, we can offer a variety of solutions to help correct your bite pattern and relieve you of these symptoms.
Headache Treatment in Frederick, MD
Tension headaches, jaw pain, and earaches are just some of the many symptoms that indicate bite pattern misalignment. Without treatment, these symptoms can further develop into a TMJ disorder. Our office provides comprehensive TMJ treatment options to help relieve patients of these debilitating symptoms. These treatments include night guards, restorative dentistry, orthodontics and more.
Night Guard
A night guard is a custom mouthguard that patients wear to alleviate the symptoms of TMJ disorders. This dental device acts as an occlusal splint and provides a protective barrier between the upper and lower teeth. It reduces the impact of teeth grinding and jaw clenching on the teeth, which can contribute to symptoms of TMJ disorder such as frequent headaches.
We make our night guards from dental impressions of your mouth to fit perfectly. You will wear the device every night while you sleep to help relieve your headache. The device will stabilize your jaw and reduce muscle tension to help promote muscle relaxation.
A custom nighttime mouthguard will also promote proper jaw alignment and support the TMJ. To learn more about how a night guard is different from a sports mouthguard, see Custom mouthguard.
Restorative Dentistry
Our dentist may suggest restorative procedures if tooth misalignment, an improper bite, or worn-down teeth trigger your TMJ headaches. We provide several dental restorations to help fix your teeth and align your bite. Doing this will reduce the strain functional issues are putting on your TMJ.
Dental restorations such as dental crowns, dental bridges, and dental implants are typical treatments for TMJ. To learn more about our restorative dentistry treatments, see Restorative dentistry.
Orthodontic Treatment
Crooked teeth are often the cause of severe TMJ disorders that result in headaches. In these cases, your dentist is likely to recommend orthodontics rather than restorative dentistry. Our most popular treatment is Invisalign. Invisalign is a clear aligner system that slowly shifts teeth back into proper alignment. This improves overall bite and relieves TMJ symptoms and frequent headaches. To learn more about the Invisalign process, see Invisalign.
Understanding TMJ Headaches
TMJ headaches can be a painful and frustrating condition that affects many people. TMJ, short for temporomandibular joint, refers to the joint connecting your jawbone to your skull. It allows you to move your jaw for activities like chewing, talking, and yawning. However, when something goes wrong with this joint, it can lead to a variety of issues, including headaches.
What Are TMJ Headaches?
TMJ headaches occur when there is dysfunction or misalignment in the temporomandibular joint. This dysfunction can cause muscle tension and pain that radiates to the head, resulting in headaches. Many people mistake TMJ headaches for regular tension headaches or migraines, but they have distinct causes linked to problems with the jaw joint.
The pain from TMJ headaches typically starts in the jaw and spreads to other areas of the face and head. These headaches can be sharp, throbbing, or aching, and they often occur alongside other TMJ symptoms, such as jaw pain or difficulty moving the jaw.
Causes of TMJ Headaches
Several factors can contribute to the development of TMJ headaches, including:
- Jaw Misalignment: One of the most common causes of TMJ headaches is jaw misalignment, also known as malocclusion. When your bite is uneven or your teeth don’t come together properly, it puts stress on the temporomandibular joint. This can lead to pain and tension in the jaw muscles, which can radiate to the head, causing headaches.
- Teeth Grinding (Bruxism): Many people clench or grind their teeth, especially at night while they sleep. This condition, called bruxism, puts excessive pressure on the jaw joint and can lead to TMJ dysfunction. Over time, this grinding and clenching can cause inflammation in the joint and surrounding muscles, resulting in headaches.
- Jaw Injury: Trauma to the jaw, such as a blow to the face or an accident, can cause damage to the temporomandibular joint. This damage can result in long-term joint dysfunction and lead to headaches and other TMJ-related symptoms.
- Stress: Stress is a major contributor to TMJ headaches. When stressed, you may unknowingly clench your jaw or tighten the muscles in your face and neck. This tension can put strain on the temporomandibular joint, leading to headaches.
- Arthritis: TMJ headaches can also be caused by arthritis in the temporomandibular joint. Just like other joints in the body, the TMJ can be affected by osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis, which can cause inflammation and pain.
- Poor Posture: Poor posture, especially in the neck and upper back, can affect the alignment of your jaw and lead to TMJ dysfunction. Sitting for long periods with your head tilted forward or slouched shoulders can strain the muscles around the jaw and neck, increasing the likelihood of TMJ headaches.
Symptoms of TMJ Headaches
TMJ headaches share many symptoms with other headaches, making them difficult to identify. However, they often come with specific signs related to jaw joint problems. Here are some common symptoms of TMJ headaches:
- Jaw Pain: One of the most noticeable signs of a TMJ headache is pain in the jaw joint or the muscles around the jaw. This pain may be felt on one or both sides of the face and can worsen when you chew, talk, or open your mouth wide.
- Headaches in the Temples: TMJ headaches often cause pain in the temples, which are the sides of your head, just above your ears. This pain can be a dull ache or a more intense, throbbing sensation.
- Ear Pain or Ringing: Because the temporomandibular joint is located near the ears, TMJ dysfunction can lead to pain in or around the ears. Some people with TMJ headaches may also experience ringing in the ears (tinnitus).
- Clicking or Popping Sounds: If you hear clicking, popping, or grating sounds when you open or close your mouth, this could be a sign of TMJ disorder. These sounds occur when the joint is not moving smoothly or when there is damage to the cartilage in the joint.
- Difficulty Opening or Closing the Mouth: TMJ headaches are often accompanied by a limited range of motion in the jaw. You may find it difficult to open your mouth wide or experience pain when trying to close it.
- Facial Muscle Tenderness: The muscles around your jaw and face may feel sore or tender to the touch. This muscle tension can contribute to the pain of TMJ headaches.
- Neck and Shoulder Pain: Because TMJ dysfunction affects the muscles in the jaw, it can also cause tension in the muscles of the neck and shoulders. This tension may lead to additional discomfort or headaches.
Diagnosing TMJ Headaches
If you think you may be experiencing TMJ headaches, it’s important to visit a dentist or doctor for a proper diagnosis. Your healthcare provider will examine your jaw joint, look for signs of misalignment, and ask about your symptoms. They may also check for tenderness in the muscles around your jaw and face.
In some cases, your dentist may recommend imaging tests, such as X-rays or an MRI, to get a better look at the temporomandibular joint and assess any damage or inflammation. A thorough evaluation will help determine if TMJ dysfunction is the cause of your headaches.
FAQs for TMJ Headaches
Constant headaches or migraines can be a side effect of jaw issues and affect oral health. Here are some common questions regarding our headache treatments as well as TMJ disorders.
What dental concerns can cause headaches?
A range of dental concerns can cause tension headaches. You may begin to experience tension headaches over time if you have missing, damaged, or misaligned teeth. This is because your mouth and facial muscles are under added pressure when performing these daily tasks. Your dental structures need to work together while performing daily tasks such as chewing or speaking.
What is a TMJ disorder?
A TMJ disorder may present as jaw pain, tension headaches, or earaches, among other symptoms. Injury or inflammation to the temporomandibular joint of your jaw causes these symptoms. This is the main joint at work when you are chewing or speaking. TMJ disorders can develop following dental damage, missing teeth, teeth grinding, or bite pattern misalignment.
How can I relieve my TMJ symptoms?
To begin, our dentists will create a detailed and personalized treatment plan for your TMJ disorder. Our dentists will work with you to address the underlying causes of your TMJ disorder and tension headaches. To address bite misalignment, we may recommend Invisalign or other orthodontic options.
To replace missing teeth or broken teeth, we may recommend dental implants, dental bridges, or dental crowns. We may also recommend Botox to relieve certain TMJ symptoms. Your treatment will all depend on what our dental professionals think will help you the most.
Can dental work cause tension headaches?
Tension headaches are the type of headache most frequently linked to dental problems. Muscle tension that accumulates in the jaw and mouth is what causes these tension headaches. When this tension builds, it causes excess pressure in your facial muscles, and which travels to the brain causing headaches.
What helps a headache from the dentist?
Some patients may experience a light headache after receiving extensive dental work. Give your temples a light massage to relax the muscles in your head, face, and jaw and ease stress from dental headaches. A heating pad can help relax the muscles, while an ice pack can help reduce tension-type headaches.
How long does a headache last after a root canal?
One of the most common symptoms after a root canal procedure is a small headache. Root canal headaches typically last for a few days and usually go away on its own as the body heals. Stay hydrated, get plenty of rest, practice good oral hygiene, and take pain medication to alleviate the headache. If the headache persists for more than a few days or becomes severe, consult with your dentist or doctor.
Can dental cavities cause headaches?
Unaddressed tooth cavities can lead to toothaches and headaches from tooth pain. Headache pain will get worse if you let the infection progress and spread into tooth roots. This can also cause migraines until you get headache treatment.
If you need long-term relief from frequent headaches, contact Frederick Center for Dentistry today. You can reach our office at 301-264-5680 to book an appointment or you can request an appointment online.