Many people who suffer from chronic headaches and
migraines do not know that temporomandibular joint
disorder (TMD) causes them. Your temporomandibular
joint is where your lower jaw connects to your
skull. When this joint gets out of alignment, it is
referred to as TMD, and it can cause many different
physical problems.
When your temporomandibular
joint is out of alignment, it causes the muscles in
your face, head, and neck that surround the joint,
to strain at everything they do. Even while at rest,
the muscles are having excess stress put on them
because of the misaligned joint.
The strained muscles in your head, face, and neck
can cause headaches or TMJ
migraines. TMJ headaches are often so painful,
severe, and frequent that they are misdiagnosed as
migraines. One of the ways to determine if you are
suffering from headaches or migraines as a result of
TMD is by getting diagnosed by a specially trained
neuromuscular dentist like Dr. Pavlenko in Edmonton,
Alberta.
When the muscles are constantly strained or
contracted they can cause tension headaches. TMJ
headaches can also be caused by a build-up of blood
pressure. When the muscles in your face, head, and
neck are strained, they prevent blood from flowing
to the correct places. When this happens, your body
attempts to correct the problem by sending more
blood to the area, which increases blood pressure.
This can cause a very painful feeling of pressure
around the head, called a vascular headache.
A neuromuscular dentist will work with you to
diagnose your headaches or migraines and determine
if TMJ
is causing them. If it is, he will design a
treatment plan specifically suited for you. First he
will relax and rid the muscles around the joint to
stop the pain they are causing. Then, your jaw will
be stabilized so that the best treatment for you can
be determined. Finally, the two of you can discuss a
long-term treatment that is designed specifically
for you.
The symptoms of TMD can cause discomfort and they
can lead to serious physical damage. You could be
suffering from TMD if you are experiencing symptoms
like:
· Sensitive/Sore Teeth
· Sore jaw muscles
· Pain in the head, neck, and shoulders
· Facial Pain
· Headaches
· Migraines
· Ringing in the ears
· Locking of the jaw
· Clicking/Popping of the jaw
· Limited jaw movement
· Worn Teeth
· Chipped Teeth
