Many people who suffer from chronic headaches do not know that Temporomandibular Joint Disorder (TMJ or TMD) could be the cause. The temporomandibular joint is the jaw joint, just in front of the ears, where the lower jaw connects to the skull. When your jaw joint is out of alignment, the upper and lower teeth meet incorrectly in what is known as a “bad bite,” and the jaw muscles strain at everything they do. This may cause chronic headaches and migraines.
TMJ Can Get On Your Nerves!
The primary reason people experience TMJ headaches is due to an imbalance in their bite. This causes tremendous strain on the jaw muscles, which in turn creates pressure on the nerves and blood vessels. Several large nerves are running through the face, head, neck, and shoulders, down to the hands. This dysfunction cuts the blood supply, and the nerves malfunction creating spasmatic muscles, which produce pain and future damage to the TMJ, teeth, and gums.
Another reason for TMJ headaches could be a rise in blood pressure. When the jaw muscles are chronically strained, the inflammation blocks some of the blood flow. The body tries 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 which in turn leads to patients experiencing Migraines.
Because TMJ headaches can be so painful, severe, and frequent, they are sometimes misdiagnosed as migraines. To determine if you are suffering from migraines or TMJ headaches in Edmonton, try visiting a dentist.
What you will be looking for is a diagnosis and treatment options that focus not just on your teeth and gums, but also on your jaw joint, and all its related structures (nerves, muscles, blood vessels, etc.). TMJ diagnosis starts with measuring and recording the jaw joint sounds, jaw muscle electrical activity, and jaw movements. Part of the diagnosis is relaxing the jaw muscles with a set of electrodes that deliver mild stimulation, contracting and relaxing the muscles until they relax. This usually takes about 45 to 60 minutes, and, for many patients, it is the first time their jaw muscles have relaxed in many years. TMJ pain often fades along with the muscle tension.
Since each case of TMJ is one-of-a-kind, each treatment plan must be custom-designed for the individual patient. Once the jaw muscle relaxation is complete, and your optimal bite position has been found, a longer-term plan for the maintenance of your corrected bite is the next step.
