Most people suffer from headaches at some point in their life. However, frequent headaches can sometimes be a sign that something is wrong. If you suffer from headaches every day, especially when you wake up in the morning, you could have a Temporomandibular Joint Disorder (TMD). Physicians often overlook or misdiagnose TMJ headaches. Chapel Hill dentist Dr. Furgurson has special experience diagnosing and treating patients with frequent headaches.
Dr. Furgurson provides dental treatment for TMJ headaches and migraines. TMJ disorders are bite disorders that often occur when patients are under stress. Jaw pain, teeth grinding, and headaches are common problems associated with TMD. Constant strain on the facial muscles, jaw, and TMJ contributes to regular headaches. Treating the root cause of these headaches can reduce their frequency and severity.
How Frequent Headaches Relate To Dentistry
One of the more common symptoms that patients with TMJ disorders share is frequent headaches. These “TMJ headaches” often occur in the morning as a result of clenching the jaw and grinding the teeth during sleep. Also, the simple fact that your jaw has to strain to bite the right way can lead to these headaches.
Other signs that you may have TMJ headaches are:
- Facial pain (often in the temple region or sides of the face)
- Pain in the neck or older shoulders
- Migraines or headaches
- Earache or feeling of fullness in the ears
There are several contributing factors to the development of TMJ disorders. Stress, anxiety, crooked teeth, and a misaligned bite can worsen or cause TMD. Treating these problems can help reduce the frequency of headaches and other symptoms.
TMJ Headache Therapy
If you suspect that a TMJ disorder, teeth grinding, misaligned teeth, or other dental problems may be causing your headaches, the first step is an evaluation with our dentist. Dr. Furgurson will review your dental and medical history. Then, he will examine your bite’s fit and the TMJ alignment.
Depending on your condition, the dentist may suggest one or several treatments. Treatment may include an oral appliance, such as a TMJ mouthguard. It may also include bite correction therapy, which would solve problems with the alignment of teeth and TMJ. Lifestyle changes and physical therapy can also help reduce headaches from TMD.
Treatments for chronic TMJ headaches in Chapel Hill, NC, can include:
TMJ Nightguard
A custom removable appliance that you wear during sleep. This treatment aims to reduce or prevent teeth grinding and clenching, reducing morning headaches. A TMJ nightguard covers the upper or lower teeth to provide a barrier between teeth. This barrier also prevents tooth wear and damage.
Bite Correction
Headaches often result from an unbalanced bite. Dr. Furgurson can solve this issue through a series of adjustments, bringing the teeth into proper alignment. Depending on your condition, this treatment may include reshaping the teeth, orthodontics, and restorative dentistry.
Tooth reshaping can create a more even bite. The same is true for fixing crooked teeth. We may recommend crowns, bridges, or implants if you have damaged or missing teeth. Replacing missing teeth or fixing worn and damaged teeth can also adjust the bite.
Lifestyle Changes
If you experience morning headaches due to teeth grinding, relaxing before sleep can help reduce the chance of headaches. Sometimes, eating soft foods for some time can reduce strain on the facial muscles and jaw.
Relaxing your jaw can reduce tension in your face. To relax your jaw, gently put the tip of your tongue on the roof of your mouth. When you notice you’re clenching your teeth or jaw, relax your jaw into this position.
Physical Therapy
In addition to dental care, we recommend physical therapy if you have TMD. A physical therapist will use heat and massage to help relax your facial muscles The physical therapist will also help you learn exercises and relaxation techniques to reduce stress in the face and jaw.
Frequent Headaches FAQs
Learn more about frequent headaches with answers to these common questions:
What dental problems can cause headaches?
Teeth grinding and TMJ are the most common causes of dental headaches. They can make you clench your jaw, and your jaw muscles become tight. These symptoms cause tension in the jaw and face. As a result, it causes frequent headaches.
Are there other dental issues that can cause headaches?
Yes. Tooth decay and gum disease can cause infections in the mouth that can also lead to headaches. The best way to avoid these is to continue a strict oral hygiene routine at home. Additionally, you should visit your dentist every six months for proper cleaning.
However, please know that not all headaches are from dental problems. Please contact your general practitioner if you have headaches that are not dental-related.
How long do headaches last after dental work?
Sometimes, patients can have a headache after dental work. This is often true after tooth extractions. Most patients report that this goes away after a few days once the area begins to heal. It depends on what procedure you receive and the extent of work.
Are headaches normal after dental implants?
Some patients may experience headaches after they get dental implants. While these headaches are not common, they are not unheard of. If you are experiencing headaches for an extended time after implants are placed, contact our dentist. We recommend a follow-up to be sure nothing is infected. If you have an infection at the implant site, you may experience chronic headaches.
What can I do at home to treat TMJ headaches?
In addition to professional care, you can treat TMJ headaches at home with:
- Jaw Exercises: You can gently open and close your mouth and do small side-to-side movements to gently stretch your muscles. Also, practice keeping your tongue at the roof of your mouth. Don’t push your jaw past where it’s comfortable.
- Soft Foods: As you get TMJ treatment, we may recommend that you eat softer foods. Cut food into smaller pieces and avoid chewy foods like gum or tough meat. You can also take smaller bites when eating.
- Pain Relief: Try over-the-counter pain medicine if you feel jaw pain or have headaches. You should also support your neck when you sleep. Also, massage your jaw muscles gently when you feel facial pain.
If pain continues or gets worse, see a doctor or dentist. These home treatments help but aren’t a replacement for professional care when needed.
Can poor posture lead to headaches?
Yes. When you slouch or sit with your head too far forward, it puts extra strain on your neck, shoulders, and back. This tension can lead to tight muscles and stress on the nerves, which may cause headaches.
Poor posture can also reduce blood flow and oxygen to the brain, making headaches more likely. If you spend a lot of time looking down at a phone or sitting at a desk, try to sit up straight and keep your shoulders relaxed.
Can TMJ headaches cause ear ringing?
The TMJ is located very close to your ears, so when it’s not working properly, it can put pressure on the surrounding nerves, muscles, and structures. This pressure can lead to ear-related symptoms like:
- Ringing in the ears (tinnitus)
- Ear pain or fullness
- Popping or clicking sounds
- Dizziness or balance problems
TMJ-related ear ringing can happen because the muscles and nerves around the jaw and ear are closely connected. When these muscles are tense or inflamed due to TMJ problems, they can affect how your ear feels and functions.
What’s the connection between neck pain and TMJ headaches?
Neck pain and TMJ headaches are often connected because the jaw, head, and neck are all linked by muscles, nerves, and joints. When there’s a problem with the TMJ, it can affect the muscles around it, leading to pain that spreads to your neck and head.
TMJ problems can cause the muscles in your jaw, face, and neck to become tense or strained. This tension can lead to tightness and pain in the neck, which may trigger headaches. Also, poor posture can put extra stress on the neck and shoulder muscles. Over time, this can cause neck pain and tension headaches.
If you clench your jaw or grind your teeth (especially at night), it can strain both your TMJ and neck muscles. This can lead to stiffness, soreness, and headaches.
Contact our Office To Relieve Pain
Do you have frequent headaches, jaw pain, or tooth pain? You may have a bite problem. Make your next dental visit with Dr. Furgurson or Dr. White in our Durham area dentist’s office. Our dentist will evaluate your bite system and discuss your overall health and lifestyle. This evaluation will find the root cause of your pain.
Call Chapel Hill Family and Cosmetic Dentistry for comfortable treatment today at 919.736.6175. Feel free to schedule an appointment online. We’re here to help treat your frequent TMJ headaches in Chapel Hill, NC.