One in 10 Americans is affected by chronic headaches. The American Academy of Craniofacial Pain attributes 80% of headaches to muscle tension. This tension can sometimes result from a TMJ disorder or occlusal disease. If you experience frequent headaches, mention them at your next visit to New Orleans dentists Dr. Maria Burmaster and Valerie Hemphill. Our office is experienced with diagnosing and managing headaches and other dental concerns caused by dental-related problems.
One of the more common symptoms that patients with TMJ disorder share is frequent headaches. These “TMJ headaches” often occur in the morning due to clenching and grinding during sleep.
Symptoms of TMJ Headaches
Headaches can come from a variety of things. But you’ll most likely notice other symptoms along with the headaches that can make them stand out as being TMJ-caused. You’ll typically feel pain throughout the job and the rest of your face in addition to your head. It can radiate down to your neck and shoulders. Usually, patients describe the pain as aching and throbbing, worsening when they’re using their jaw joint.
Some of this pain is due to muscle tension, also common with TMJ. One of the main causes is clenching and grinding teeth at night, straining muscles around the jaw and face. The pain from this radiates and can manifest as headaches.
If you have TMJ, you’re likely to have problems with jaw function. You may have trouble opening or closing your jaw fully or hearing a popping or clicking sound when you use it.
Ear problems are common as well. The jaw joint is right next to the ear canal, so anything impacting that joint can impact the ear. Your ears might hurt or you’ll feel a pressure or fullness inside them. Hearing problems are even a possibility. Many patients report ringing in the ear or dizziness, too. These are issues that patients don’t always associate or no to look for with TMJ.
TMJ Headache Therapy
If you suspect that TMJ causes your headaches, teeth grinding, or other dental problems, the first step is an evaluation with a dentist. Dr. Burmaster and Dr. Hemphill will review your dental and medical history and examine the fit of your bite and the alignment of the TMJ.
Depending on the dentist’s findings, one or several treatments may be recommended. Treatment may include an oral appliance, such as a TMJ mouthguard, and/or bite correction therapy, which would solve problems with the alignment of teeth and TMJ joints.
- TMJ Mouthguard – A custom removable appliance that is worn during sleep. This treatment aims to reduce or prevent teeth grinding and clenching and, therefore, reduce the occurrence of morning headaches.
- Bite Correction – Headaches often result from misaligned occlusion or an unbalanced bite. Dr. Burmaster and Dr. Hemphill can solve this issue by properly aligning the teeth. Depending on your condition, this treatment may include reshaping the teeth, orthodontics, and restorative dentistry (crowns, bridges, or implants).
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Frequent Headaches FAQs
What can I do to ease dental headaches?
Over-the-counter pain medications are always useful to help with any pain you have. Gently massage your temples and the areas around your face to help ease some of the pain. Heat pads can further relax the muscles, and an ice pack can help reduce pain. Try alternating between the two.
Can misaligned teeth cause headaches?
Yes, improper tooth alignment can cause frequent headaches. An uneven bite can cause TMJ disorders and other issues. Properly aligned teeth can help you avoid constant headaches.
Can a tooth infection cause headaches?
Yes, this can be another cause of headaches. A deep enough infection irritates nerves in the tooth, causing a toothache that can spread to your head. Untreated infections can also spread into other areas of the face or body.
Can gum disease cause headaches?
Yes, tooth decay and gum disease can both trigger headaches. Pain can throb and radiate, making it seem like you have a headache when the pain originates in your tooth.
How do I know if dental issues are causing my headaches?
It can be hard to know exactly what’s causing your headaches. There are warning signs to look for to determine if your teeth have something to do with it. If you also have persistent pain in your jaw, it points toward a habit of grinding or clenching your teeth. So can excessive wear and tear, particularly on one side of your mouth. Pain localized in one tooth points to an infection or other problem with a specific tooth.
Is it common for tooth problems to cause headaches?
Yes, it’s one of the most common reasons for headaches, pressure, and eye pain. If you’re experiencing frequent headaches, contact us so that we can help you get to the root cause of the problem.
Schedule A Consultation
Our dentist office provides dental care to children and adult patients in the Marrero, LA area. We welcome new patients from greater New Orleans, LA to experience our comprehensive and compassionate dentistry. If you are experiencing a specific dental concern or are looking for a new family dentist, contact our dentist office today at 504.358.8632 or request a consultation using our convenient online form.