The full form of TMJ is the Temporomandibular joint, which is a joint that acts like a sliding hinge and connects your jawbone to your skull. Any problem in the working of this joint causes disorders that can be uncomfortable.
This discomfort can increase with time and go out of the jaw, causing headaches. If you’re having headaches and are not able to know the clear reason for it, it may be because of TMJ.
Many people do not know the link between TMJ issues and headaches, which can cause stress or migraines. If you are looking for TMJ treatment in Los Gatos, it is important to understand the connection between TMJ and headaches.
This knowledge will help you to manage the pain and reduce it in the best possible way. Here, you will know how TMJ disorders can lead to headaches, its symptoms, and the treatment options that are available that can bring back comfort and quality of life.
Understanding TMJ and Its Effect on Headaches
TMJ disorders start when you have problems with the jaw joint and the muscles around it. These issues can be because of injury, arthritis, or clenching and grinding teeth.
TMJ pain does not stay only in the jaw. The pathway of nerves can take this discomfort to areas near the jaw, which is the head, and cause headaches, which happen regularly.
When TMJ issues force muscles to work harder, tension is created, which can become head pain over time. If the TMJ pain is ignored, it can become chronic.
It is important to know that TMJ can be a cause of headaches so that there can be proper treatment that will give you better jaw and head health.
Key Symptoms of TMJ-Related Headaches
You can have a better treatment if you catch the TMJ-related headaches early. TMJ headaches have clear characteristics that make them different from other types of headaches.
Long-duration jaw pain and clicking or popping sounds when you move the jaw can be signs of TMJ issues. Most of the time, TMJ-related headaches start near the temples and can go towards the neck or shoulders, which creates discomfort over a large area.
If you have a TMJ disorder, you can have headaches when you wake up because there is a high chance that you may clench your jaws during sleep.
If you are home through any of these symptoms, a TMJ examination can help you know the cause and guide you to start an effective treatment plan.
Treatment Options to Stop TMJ-Related Headaches
You can treat your TMJ-related headaches with a detailed plan to get rid of both jaw and headache pain. Treatment available today targets the main cause of TMJ discomfort and gives relief for a long time.
Mouthguards are specially made for you to protect the teeth and reduce pressure on the jaw by stopping you from clenching your teeth at night.
Exercises and therapy sessions can make your jaw come back into its own position and decrease the tension in the muscles. Anti-inflammatory medicines or injections can give relief for a short period of time, especially for pain caused by inflammation.
Changes in Lifestyle to Support TMJ Health
There are other changes apart from clinical treatments that are important to manage TMJ symptoms, and these are changes in your lifestyle. These changes decrease the headaches because they support jaw health and do not increase the pain.
Practices like meditation, yoga, and breathing exercises Can decrease stress, which will decrease the clenching of the jaw.
Try not to eat hard or chewy foods because they put pressure on the jaw and cause serious symptoms.
You should sleep on your back with proper neck support to decrease the pressure on the jaw, which will reduce tension and regular headaches.
Take the First Step Toward TMJ Relief
Know how proper TMJ care can help you get rid of headaches and improve the quality of your life. Consult a professional today to start a journey that will lead you to a comfortable and healthy life.
