How can a problem with your jaw cause headaches and migraines?
Sometimes it can be difficult to know the difference between normal headaches and migraines. Determining the cause of the pain can help to find an appropriate treatment that will eliminate the pain rather than just cover it up. Doctors sometimes overlook a common cause of headache pain: the jaws. Your teeth and jaws can trigger pain in your head and face that can be confused with migraines. A dentist can often discover this problem and offer a solution.
The confusing causes of headaches
We are taught that pain occurs to alert us that something is wrong and encourage us to get medical treatment. While this is basically the way our bodies were designed, the system is not perfect. Sometimes the nerve signals that tell us we are in pain get mixed up, and we can feel pain in areas of our bodies that have nothing to do with where the problem actually lies. An example of this is when headaches are actually a response to a problem somewhere else along the nerve pathways. This type of headache cannot be cured unless the original cause is cured.
Finding the cause of your pain
It is very common for a jaw joint disorder called TMJ disorder to trigger pain throughout your head. TMJ disorder is a disorder of the temporomandibular joints that are responsible for jaw movement. TMJ disorder is common because the jaws do so much work. Crooked, missing or misaligned teeth can also cause problems because these conditions make your jaws work harder than they are designed to. If you experience frequent headaches or migraines and doctors have not been able to find a specific cause, your teeth or your jaws could be the key to finding a headache cure.
Get a TMJ diagnosis and treatment
Our Carroll County dentist can determine if you have TMJ disorder by performing an exam. There are several options for TMJ treatment, including temporary and permanent solutions. If you have a bad bite or other dental problems that could be contributing to TMJ symptoms, correcting these problems could offer relief from pain. Other options include a dental appliance that you wear to gently position your teeth and jaws to relieve stress, and nerve stimulating treatment for immediate pain relief.
If you are suffering from chronic headaches and migraines, call us to set up a consultation appointment. If dental or jaw problems are behind your headaches, dental TMJ treatment could eliminate your pain.
