TMJ Headaches: How to Tell If Your Jaw Is Behind the Pain

Have you been suffering from frequent headaches recently? It could be a sign that you’re suffering from a temporomandibular joint disorder, or TMJ disorder for short. If you want to achieve lasting relief, you will need to have the underlying issue properly diagnosed and treated as soon as possible. As such, it’s important to be able to recognize TMJ headaches as well as other symptoms that could point to an issue in your jaw.  

What is a TMJ Disorder?

The TMJs are the joints that allow you to open and close your jaw. They are located just in front of your ears and are among the most complex joints in the body. When the TMJs are injured or overworked, the result is a TMJ disorder. This condition often results in jaw pain, headaches, and other painful symptoms; additionally, it can sometimes limit the movement of your jaw.  

What is a TMJ Headache Like?

TMJ headaches tend to be recurring, and they manifest as a constant, dull pain on one or both sides of the head. You may also feel some pressure-like discomfort in your temples. In many cases, you might notice that your headache grows worse when you chew your food or talk for a long time.

It can be easy to confuse a TMJ headache for a tension headache. However, the standard treatments that work on tension headaches are often ineffective for TMJ headaches since they don’t address the true root of the problem.

What are Other Symptoms of TMJ Disorder?

Headaches are far from the only symptom of a TMJ disorder. Other possible warning signs include:

• Chronic jaw pain.
• A popping or clicking sound whenever you move your jaw.
• Pain in the ears or behind the eyes.
• Difficulty chewing.
• Periodic locking of the jaw.

How Can a TMJ Disorder Be Treated?

TMJ disorders can potentially grow more severe if they’re left untreated. As such, it’s best to seek treatment as soon as you have reason to suspect that there’s a problem with your jaw joints.

There’s more than one way to treat TMJ disorder. The method that your dentist recommends will largely depend on the underlying cause and severity of your condition. For example, in some cases, the issue may be related to nighttime grinding and clenching of the teeth, which can put excessive stress on the jaw joints. Your dentist can give you a nightguard to wear when you go to bed in order to keep the upper and lower rows of teeth separated; this reduces pressure on your TMJs, allowing them to rest and recover.

TMJ headaches are unpleasant, but fortunately, there’s no need to force yourself to live with them. Once the underlying issue has been diagnosed by a professional, you can pursue the care you need to achieve lasting relief.

About the Practice

At the dental practice of Steve W. Cobb, DDS, our team is bringing patients in Odessa excellent dental care that takes full advantage of the latest techniques and technologies. We offer personalized TMJ treatment in the form of customized nightguards that are designed to address the root cause of your symptoms. If you’re experiencing headaches or constant jaw pain that might be due to a TMJ disorder, you can schedule an appointment with our team by visiting our website or calling (432) 367-4774.