Chronic Headaches? It Might Be TMD

Venture Creative on September 25, 2020

Do you suffer from chronic and frequent headaches or neck aches? A possible cause might be Temporomandibular Disorder (TMD).

 

Today, we are going to cover the symptoms of TMD and what causes it. Plus, some ways that you can prevent TMD from occurring. If you need treatment, our experienced team at the Oral & Facial Surgery Institute can help you. Contact us today for more information.

 

What is TMD?

TMD often appears in the form of recurring headaches. This is because your temporomandibular joints (TMJ) that connect your jaw and skull are being overworked. This can be painful and might restrict the range of motion your jaw has.

 

There are many symptoms of TMD. However, it can be easily recognized if you often experience pain in your jaw and have frequent headaches or pains in your neck. TMD can even affect your ears, making them ring or feel stuffy.

 

If you experience a locked jaw or are having trouble opening your mouth, be sure to contact us right away. We can get you started on treatment as soon as you are available. If your jaw is locking up, you do not want to put off scheduling an appointment.

 

How does TMD Cause Headaches?

When the muscles of the TMJ become tense, they can cause pain to more muscles around them. The pain often spreads to the side of your head- causing headaches. This type of headache can be hard to pinpoint as the culprit.

 

This is because a TMJ caused headache will often spread over your head and face, making it difficult to distinguish it from tension headaches. If you suspect your jaw is causing you pain, then you can make a few changes to prevent it from happening so often.

 

How to Avoid TMD

You can do this right now at home, simply focus on relaxing your face. The tension in your jaw is what causes TMD pain, so checking in on yourself to see if you are clenching your jaw during the day is a great start.

 

You will also want to avoid eating hard foods and chewing gum. Aside from that, always practicing good posture helps release tension from your body. If you grind your teeth at night, this can also cause pain and headaches.

 

How is TMD Treated?

We have many options for non-surgical treatment. However, if you do not respond to those methods, we can perform oral surgery. This involves either arthroscopy or direct jaw surgery. Keep in mind that we will attempt to treat your TMD with non-surgical methods first.

 

Conclusion

If you suffer from chronic headaches and are having trouble figuring out why TMD might be the problem. Be sure to relax your mouth if you feel that your jaw is clenched. Doing this can help prevent TMD and the headaches that come with it.

 

Be sure to contact our office at the Oral & Facial Surgery Institute if you can not get relief from jaw pain by yourself. We can let you know what treatment options are available to you.

Is a Clicking Jaw Something to Worry About?

Venture Creative on July 5, 2019

Picture yourself driving down the road when you immediately begin to hear a clinking sound coming from under your car. What do you do? You pull over, examine it, and consider possible options to fix it. Similarly, when your jaw starts to make noises that it’s not supposed to, it would be wise to follow the same steps! Let us help you understand whether or not a clicking jaw is something to worry about. 

What is TMJ/TMD?

Temporomandibular Disorder (TMD) refers to the pain and dysfunction of the muscles of mastication (the muscles that move the jaw) and the temporomandibular joints (the joints which connect the mandible to the skull).

Do you have TMJ/TMD?

Some common symptoms of TMD include:

  • Swelling on the sides of the face
  • Muscle spasms in the jaw area
  • A change in the alignment of the top and bottom teeth
  • Locked jaw or limited opening of the mouth
  • Pain in the jaw area
  • Pain, ringing, or stuffiness in the ears
  • Frequent headaches or neck aches
  • Clicking or popping sound when the jaw moves

Professional Consultation

If you feel that you’ve been experiencing some of the symptoms listed above, you may want to take the time to schedule a professional exam. Doing so will allow you to know whether or not TMD has been the cause of your symptoms.

Treatment Options

TMD can be treated in many ways, dependant upon your professional diagnosis. Non-surgical options include short-term, non-steroidal, anti-inflammatory drugs for pain and muscle relaxation, bite plate or splint therapy, and even stress management counseling.

If non-surgical treatment is unsuccessful or there is clear joint damage, oral surgery may be necessary. The surgical treatment of TMD can involve either arthroscopy or direct jaw surgery, depending on the extent of the damage.

What is TMJ/TMD?

Venture Creative on April 30, 2019

You may have heard of TMD or TMJ, but do you know what they are and what the difference is?

Temporomandibular Disorder (TMD)

Millions of Americans suffer from chronic facial and neck pain as well as recurring headaches. In some cases, this pain is due to Temporomandibular Disorder, or TMD.

Your temporomandibular joints (TMJ) connect your lower jawbone to your skull. These joints get a lot of use throughout the day as you speak, chew, swallow, and yawn. Pain in and around these joints can be unpleasant and may even restrict movement.

Symptoms of TMD include:

  • Pain in the jaw area
  • Pain, ringing, or stuffiness in the ears
  • Frequent headaches or neck aches
  • Clicking or popping sound when the jaw moves
  • Swelling on the sides of the face
  • Muscle spasms in the jaw area
  • A change in the alignment of top and bottom teeth
  • Locked jaw or limited opening of the mouth

Treating TMD

TMD can be treated many ways, depending on your diagnosis. Non-surgical options include short-term, non-steroidal, anti-inflammatory drugs for pain and muscle relaxation, bite plate or splint therapy, and even stress management counseling.

If non-surgical treatment is unsuccessful or there is clear joint damage, oral surgery may be necessary. The surgical treatment of TMD can involve either arthroscopy or direct jaw surgery, depending on the extent of the damage.

Prevention is Always the Best Medicine

There are a few simple steps you can take at home or work to prevent TMD from becoming more severe, or to prevent it from occurring in the first place:

  • Relax your face — remember the rule: “Lips together, teeth apart”
  • Avoid grinding your teeth
  • Avoid constant gum chewing
  • Don’t cradle the phone receiver between your head and shoulder — either use a headset or hold the receiver in your hand
  • Chew food evenly on both sides of your mouth
  • Do not sit with your chin resting on your hand
  • Practice good posture — keep your head up, back straight, and shoulders squared

We understand it’s not always preventable, that’s why we’re here. Call us today to schedule your consult.

 

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