A sudden shift in the mood can ruin a happy day. Especially if you are enjoying a piece of cake followed by a sharp or tingling migraine at the side of your head. People that experience different headaches or migraines during daytime or before going to sleep at night should get a doctor’s advice immediately. Some recurring headaches may be a symptom of a temporomandibular joint disorder or TMD. Can orthopedics rescue you from the side effect of constant TMJ and headaches disorder? There may be one method of decreasing inflammation in your jawbone and upper and lower mandible. If you want to discover a professional’s advice on this article, read ahead to know more.
Why Do TMJ And Headaches Spontaneously Happen?
The consistent relationship between TMJ and headaches are almost seen as a direct cause of each other. Yet, some disorders can be related to the common tension that patients suffer from. Some of which are from the ear, sinus, or teeth with other symptoms that cause headache or facial pain. The treatment for having TMD disorders may get relief from a dentist or a neuromuscular specialist who will analyze the source of your problem.
Going To The Source:
The anatomy of the human skull is complicated, but facial structures are connected through the muscles, joints, and ligaments. In a temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder, an inflammation in the jawbone starts spreading to the hinge that connects the jaw with the skull. Furthermore, those with osteoarthritis, osteoporosis, and other inflammatory disorders may have a higher chance of acquiring TMD. The inflamed hinge can also affect the neck, throat, mouth, and the whole face. Several people can also experience toothaches or shoulder pain.
You May Have TMJ With These Symptoms:
- Clicking noise while moving the jaw
- Difficulty opening mouth
- Misalignment in your bite
- Inflamed or redness in gums
- A severe jaw or facial pain
- Teeth grinding
- Cheek pain
- Severe headache or migraines
- Dizziness
- Lockjaw
Known Causes Of TMJ Disorder
Are you aware of your TMJ symptoms? If yes, you may want to discover more about its causes. On the other hand, these assumptions and theories from several doctors and dentists may only come from the observed repetitive cause and effect. There are no direct causes of temporomandibular joint disease as of today. Moreover, TMJ and headaches may have more than one reason to occur at the same time. Side effects of TMJ, as well as headaches, can come from underlying medical issues, fractures, gum diseases, or breathing problems. However, you may speak to your trusted orthopedic or oral and maxillofacial doctor to have an assessment.
Usually, TMJ Is Caused Or Preceded By:
- Accidents, Injury (Vehicular, Sports Activities)
- Bone fractures
- Stress
- Poor Posture
- Autoimmune system disorder
- Arthritis or Inflammation
- Dental diseases
- Side effects of atypical antipsychotic-induced acute dystonia
Options That May Reduce Continuous TMJ And Headaches
A constant headache can be burdensome, and the symptoms may become worse if the patient doesn’t look for a treatment soon. Options like dentistry and orthopedics can be useful to determine the exact cause of your headache. Some headache symptoms may have a link to gums, breathing, or sleeping disorders. Through orthopedics, stress may become less frequent, causing your swelling or inflammation to loosen up in the muscle area. On the contrary, extreme cases of TMJ and headaches may require surgery as its last option for treatment. The doctor may send the patient to an oral and maxillofacial surgeon, an otolaryngologist, or a TMJ and headaches dental specialist.
How Does Orthopedics Treat TMJ and Headaches?
As mentioned previously, patients that want to avoid the risks of having surgery may treat TMJ and headaches by orthopedic therapy. An orthopedic must first diagnose if the patient’s TMJ and headaches are commonly causing severe results of each other. The specialist may use an X-ray machine, an MRI or a CT scan for any muscle or migraines that coincide each other. A TMJ problem can become chronic, so it is advised to have physical therapy or massage techniques like chiropractic to lessen the pain. Moreover, TMJ and headaches may happen any time, so prescription medication like NSAIDs may reduce inflammation that can heighten your TMJ and headaches. Don’t neglect any of these tips as your TMJ and headaches may give you a hard time at home.
Prevention tips:
- Make sure to have contact numbers for specialists like an oral and maxillofacial surgeon or an ENT doctor
- TMJ and headaches may be reduced by applying cold compress in the cheeks or jaw area
- Don’t force opening your mouth
- Always have someone assist you with a lockjaw, go to a dental clinic or hospital immediately
