Headaches are typically caused by muscle tension. The temporomandibular joint is what makes your jaw move and connects your lower jaw to your skull. These muscles and joints are responsible for allowing you to chew and speak. They are constantly used including to bite down over 2,000 times a day to swallow alone. With constant use, if you start clenching or grinding your teeth, tension can be placed on these muscles and joints resulting in symptoms of a TMJ disorder.
People that suffer from even mild TMJ can have pain in their jaw that makes chewing uncomfortable or even difficult to open their mouth. Many people also suffer from headaches, neck and face pain as a result of TMJ. As a general dentist, this is something that we can help to address.
Not all cases of TMJ are ongoing. Some people only experience symptoms during times of high stress, perhaps because the stress causing them to clench their teeth at night. Others suffer on a daily basis and are often unaware of what is causing the problem in the first place. In either case, we suggest wearing a removable oral appliance at night. This is a simple device that is created based on an impression and measurements of your mouth. It surrounds both your upper and lower teeth but is connected in such a way as to prevent your teeth from touching at night. Without the ability to clench or grind your teeth, your jaw can relax while you sleep. This solution is so simple, yet entirely effective because when your muscles and joints relax, you will wake up without tension and, therefore, without a headache.
If you aren't grinding your teeth at night, you may still be placing undue pressure onto some of your teeth or your jaw due to how you hold your mouth and jaw throughout the day. Those with severely crooked teeth or those with damaged teeth are more likely to hold their jaw strangely, very often to prevent the damaged or infected tooth from being touched. This can create further stress and tension because the jaw isn't allowed to remain in a relaxed state. This too can lead to symptoms like headaches. As a general dentist, if we see any infections or damage, we can treat them right away so that your mouth can return to good health. By doing so, we can relieve some of the pressure you have been experiencing so that you can become headache-free.
