If you suffer from migraine headaches, no one needs to tell you how debilitating and painful they can be. Like many others who experience these painful headaches, you may have lost time from work and had to miss family outings and other important life events while you stay at home until the pain has passed. Migraines can have a variety of causes, but you may be surprised to learn about one unexpected cause. Read on to learn more.
The Role of Teeth and Jaws
You may have never heard about the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) but it has a significant function in opening and closing your mouth and chewing your food. The TMJs connect your skull to your lower jaws. The joints work with the muscles, nerves, and teeth to produce jaw movement. When the TMJ is not functioning properly you can experience a variety of symptoms, from facial and jaw pain to ringing in your ears and, headaches, including migraine headaches. Other symptoms include:
- Popping/clicking of jaw joints
- Bruxism (teeth grinding)
- Open bite
- Trouble chewing
- Facial pain
- Aces in neck and shoulders
- Mouth breathing
- And more . . .
Causes of Temporomandibular Joint Disorder (TMD)
It is uncertain how a TMD begins. Rheumatoid arthritis or osteoarthritis, a connective tissue disease, trauma to the joints from constant teeth grinding, or clenching of the teeth could be causes.
Some Sources of Relief
There isn’t one therapy that works for everyone because the causes of TMD vary from one patient to the next, creating unique circumstances for each. Pain relievers and muscle relaxants can, however, reduce the pain associated with the disorder.
Diagnosis is the first step so that a custom treatment plan can be created for you. Your treatment could require changes in lifestyle, a breathing device, or a dental appliance to address issues with your bite, teeth grinding or muscle clenching. Sometimes surgery is required, but this is a last resort in special circumstances.
You can look forward to relief from your pain and improved concentration. You should begin to have restful sleep and find yourself enjoying an improved quality of life following treatment.
Don’t Wait Another Minute to Seek Relief
If you, a loved one or friend is suffering from repeated headaches, including migraine headaches, it may be time to see us. Our careful examination will determine whether you are suffering from TMD and we can discuss next steps toward reducing your pain.
If you are ready to take the first step toward pain relief and you are in the Brunswick, Georgia area, call us today to schedule a consultation. We will find the solution that is best for you.
