San Francisco and Marin CA
If you’re one of the tens of millions of Americans that have experienced a migraine, then you know how debilitating it can be. Those who suffer with repeated migraines have likely tried all the potential solutions, including alternative therapies and over-the-counter pain relievers, to no avail. Far fewer people dig deep to find out the actual cause of a migraine headache, and more often than not, that cause can be as close as your jawbone — literally. Follow along today as our family dentist in San Francisco reveals how temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ or TMD) could be the culprit behind your chronic, debilitating headaches.
What is TMJ disorder?
The temporomandibular joints are located on each side of your jaw. They connect the jaw to the skull and act as sliding henges, helping the mouth open and close smoothly while eating, speaking and yawning. When the joints don’t function properly, it’s known as TMJ or TMD.
It can lead to a multitude of difficulties, including:
- Pain or tenderness in the jaw
- Locking of the jaw joint, making it difficult — if possible — to open or close your mouth.
- Pain or ringing deep in the ears (also called tinnitus)
- Difficulty or discomfort while chewing
How does TMJ trigger migraines?
A disfunction of the jaw joints can trigger migraines in the following ways:
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Muscle tension/stress
TMJ often causes muscle tension in the jaw, neck and head, which can trigger migraines.
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Teeth grinding
Also called bruxism, many people unconsciously clench or grind their teeth at night during sleep, increasing muscle tension and contributing to tension or migraine headaches.
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Pain referral
The cranial trigeminal nerve can carry “referred” TMJ pain to other parts of the face, head or neck. This pain can either mimic or trigger migraines.
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Nerve irritation
Irritation or inflammation of the TMJ — which is located near nerves that are responsible for facial sensation and movement — can affect the nerves, causing headaches or migraines.
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Jaw misalignment
Misalignment of the jaw can affect the balance and function of the muscles and joints in the head and neck, leading to increased strain and the potential for migraines.
How can I find treatment and relief?
Our TMJ dentist in Marin will recommend one or more of the following treatments for TMJ:
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Oral appliance therapy
Using X-rays and digital scans, our San Francisco TMJ dentist can fit you for a custom oral appliance — also called a splint — to wear at night. This device helps reduce bruxism, alleviating pressure on the TMJ.
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Lifestyle changes
Sometimes simple lifestyle changes can help alleviate TMJ symptoms. Try eating softer foods to give your jaw muscles and ligaments a break. If you can avoid excessive chewing — like chewing gum or tough meats — and also pay particular attention to maintaining good posture through the day, you could minimize most of the discomfort associated with TMJ.
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Myofunctional therapy
Myofunctional therapy is basically physical therapy to improve the function and coordination of the face, tongue and mouth muscles. It can strengthen the jaw muscles and improve their coordination and help improve tongue positioning and posture and breathing techniques. Myofunctional therapy can also help identify and correct certain habits that may contribute to TMJ disorder.
Migraine relief in the Bay Area
A cure for your chronic headaches could be as close as your favorite Bay Area dentist at Glen Park Dental. If you’ve been suffering from any symptoms commonly associated with TMJ, give our office a call at (415) 799-3900 so we can schedule an appointment for you today.
