TMJ headaches start from the temporomandibular joint, which connects your jaw to your skull. Therefore, it is sometimes hard to identify the right TMJ headache location. The pain usually begins in the jaw and then spreads to the face, temples, and eyes.
It can feel like a heavy pressure on your forehead or a throbbing ache behind your ears. When your jaw muscles tighten from stress or clenching, the pain can worsen and turn into a headache that affects your cheeks and even the top of your head.
Causes of TMJ Headaches
TMJ headaches are usually a symptom of temporomandibular disorder (TMD). While TMD affects nearly half of Americans, headaches from TMD are less common. Behaviors that might cause TMD include:
- Food sensitivities
- Arthritis and inflammation
- Recent dental work that keeps your mouth open
- Infection
- Nutritional deficiencies
- Having an overbite
- General stress
How Do TMJ Headaches Differ from Others?
TMJ headaches are different from other headaches in the following ways:
- They don’t cause migraine symptoms like nausea.
- No clicking or popping sounds in the jaw.
- You can feel pain while chewing.
- They involve tender jaw joints.
- You can mainly feel them in the temple region.
Medical Diagnosis of a TMJ Headache
To diagnose TMJ headaches, your doctor will likely ask about your medical history and examine your head, neck, and jaw. They might ask about the location and severity of your headaches, and any other symptoms like jaw pain or trouble opening and closing your mouth. In some cases, your doctor might order additional tests, such as:
- X-rays: These are used to see the bones in your head and neck and check for any issues.
- MRI: Uses a strong magnet and radio waves to create detailed images of soft tissues like muscles and tendons.
- CT Scan: Uses X-rays to create detailed images of both bones and soft tissues in your head and neck.
- Jaw Tracking Test: This test uses a small device to track how your jaw moves as you open and close your mouth, helping to spot any movement problems.
TMJ Headache Treatment
Treatment options for TMJ headaches can vary from medications and cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) for stress to dental treatments and surgery.
Common recommendations include:
-
-
Trigger-Point Massage Therapy
When we’re stressed or in pain, the muscles in our neck and shoulders can become tight and tense. These tight muscles, called trigger points, can make TMJ headaches worse. Many people find relief through regular trigger-point massage therapy with a licensed massage therapist who specializes in TMJ.
-
Acupuncture
Acupuncture is a traditional Chinese medicine practice used to manage pain. It’s believed to activate certain nerves and pathways in the spinal cord, releasing chemicals like cortisol and endorphins that help block pain.
-
Orthodontic Treatments
Orthodontic treatments aim to align the jaw and teeth properly and can help with teeth grinding from stress. These treatments include:
- Night Guard: A device worn at night to help the jaw stay in the correct position and reduce pressure on the TMJ.
- Splint: A device worn all the time to prevent harmful tooth movement and ease jaw discomfort.
- Orthodontic Braces: Braces can fix most TMJ issues by keeping your teeth aligned and preventing further damage.
-
Neuromuscular Treatments
If dental treatments and medications don’t help, you might consider neuromuscular treatments for TMJ headaches. These include:
- Nerve Blocks: Injections that block pain signals from nerves to the brain.
- Botox Injections: Botox can be used to relax the muscles around the TMJ and help with headache pain.
-
TMJ Denervation Surgery
TMJ denervation surgery, or TMJ nerve ablation, is done when other treatments haven’t worked. The goal is to reduce pain by disrupting nerve signals between the TMJ and the brain. The surgeon makes an incision near the TMJ and uses special tools to target the nerves. The surgery is performed under general anesthesia and can take a few hours.
-
Wrapping Up
However, knowing the TMJ headache location can help you identify it yourself to an extent. Medical intervention should be a top priority.
Visit our dentists at Village Park Family Dentists of Cypress. Our skilled dental professionals can help you permanently get rid of TMJ headaches. Dial (281) 376-4444 for an appointment.