Say Goodbye to TMJ-Related Headaches

Many people who struggle with severe daily headaches may not even know that they are struggling with TMJ disorder. TMJ disorder is characterized by a grinding of the teeth, or bruxism. The clenching and grinding of the teeth during the night while you are asleep is easy to go unnoticed at first. However, the symptoms will quickly become evident as headaches, jaw pain, and even damaged teeth.

Diagnosing TMJ Disorder

If you suspect that you have TMJ disorder, make an appointment to your dentist for an examination. The dentist will be able to listen to and feel your job as you open and close your mouth. Your dentist will be able to observe the range of motion in your jaw and press different areas in order to examine the pain levels or discomfort that you may be experiencing from the temporomandibular joint (TMJ).

If the doctor or dentist suspects a problem with your joint, you may need dental X-rays in order to confirm any issue. However, the disorder will be evident for many people depending on the symptoms

Treatment for TMJ Disorder

In some cases no treatment is necessary for TMJ disorder and it may go away on its own. This is because one of the causes of TMJ disorder is severe stress. Once your stress levels go down, the disorder may disappear. However, sometimes the disorder can be persistent and there can be certain medications that can be prescribed by your dentist including pain relievers and anti-inflammatories. Other medications may include muscle relaxants, and antidepressants.

The best way to reverse TMJ disorder is to reduce your stress, go through physical therapy, or enter into counseling. Some other effective means of treatment include oral splints and mouth guards. This is to help you reduce your stress as well as protect yourself while you still struggle from the disorder.

If you have any further questions regarding TMJ disorder, please give us a call today.