Dysfunction of your temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is a noted cause of headaches such as
migraines [1]. Your TMJ connects your lower jaw to the skull and allows you to chew and speak
with ease. However, when a problem exists with the TMJ, pain and discomfort are often the result. Let’s take a closer look at the link between TMJ disorders and migraines.

Muscle Tension Can Cause Migraines

When the TMJ is stressed, out of alignment, or inflamed, it can affect the surrounding muscles
which exist underneath your jaw and on the sides of your head.

In turn, the muscles that support the TMJ can become tense and this tension can radiate out
into the head, neck, and even your shoulders or back.

The TMJ is a powerful joint that allows us to chew tough foods. When something is amiss with
this important joint, it’s not surprising that it has the power to cause painful migraines as a
result of inflammation and stress.

You May Have a Misaligned Bite

Why would the TMJ become stressed or inflamed?

TMJ disorders are often caused by malocclusion, which is the incorrect position of the teeth
when the jaw is closed. Having a malocclusion means your bite is misaligned and can put strain
on your jaw.

With an improper bite, your jaw is constantly trying to compensate for the misalignment, so
tension and stress result, especially on the surrounding muscles. A misaligned bite or issues with the TMJ can also make teeth grinding more likely, which can also lead to headaches or migraines!

Treatment That Actually Works

While not all headaches will be attributable to TMJ disorders, ruling out TMJ as the cause could
be an essential part of treating your migraines [2].

If your doctor has ruled out a medical cause for your migraines, it’s time to visit your dentist.

Your dentist can conduct a thorough exam and be able to tell if a problem with your TMJ could
be causing your headaches.

Unfortunately, many people who experience migraines never suspect that their jaw may be the
culprit, leading their pain to go either undiagnosed and improperly treated.

If your TMJ is found to be the underlying issue, your dentist can put measures in place to treat
your TMJ pain. If a misaligned bite is the issue, orthodontics or other oral appliances may be
able to help. For some patients, stress is found to be the cause of their TMJ inflammation and
so stress management is essential.

Physical therapy may also be able to help. It’s also important that you don’t exert your TMJ by
chewing gum or other foods that are particularly hard to eat.

When understanding the link between migraines and TMJ, it’s important to know that problems
with the TMJ can actually cause severe headaches. By simply visiting your dentist, you could
rule out a potential problem or even uncover the root cause of your pain and receive treatment
that actually works!

Sources:
1. https://www.ninds.nih.gov/Disorders/Patient-Caregiver-Education/Hope-Through-
Research/Headache-Hope-Through-Research
2. https://healthcare.utah.edu/the-scope/shows.php?shows=0_bt01oaam

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An estimated 10 million people experience some type of problem with their TMJ, whether it’s
due to an improper bite, arthritis, or even stress and teeth grinding. If you’re looking for TMJ
relief, you may be able to try the following dentist recommended exercises to treat your TMJ
disorder.

Resisted Opening Exercise

Resisted opening exercises can help strengthen your jaw muscles and provide some relief for
TMJ tension. To perform a resisted opening exercise, place your thumb or thumbs underneath
your chin. Push your thumbs against your chin gently while opening your mouth. You can keep
your mouth open for about three seconds before closing it and repeat.

Relaxation Exercise

Relaxation exercises can help to ease sore jaw muscles associated with a TMJ disorder. To try a
relaxation exercise, place your tongue on the top of your mouth behind your front teeth. Allow
your jaw to open, keeping your muscles relaxed. You can also slowly close your mouth, keeping
your tongue in the same position.

Mild Resisted Opening Exercises

During mild resisted opening exercises, you can again place your tongue on the roof of your
mouth as in the previous exercise. Next, put one finger where your TMJ is—this will be just in
front of your ear. Put another finger from your opposite hand on your chin. Apply gentle
pressure on both fingers on your TMJ and chin.

Next, allow your lower jaw to open about halfway and close. For full opening, perform the same
process, except allow your jaw to completely open and then close. You should feel some
resistance here, but not pain. If the exercise is painful, do not continue.

Stress Management

Since stress is a major factor in many TMJ disorders, it may benefit you to try some relaxation
techniques in your daily life to cope with stress. Relaxation processes will be different for
everyone, but many people find that breathing techniques, meditation, yoga, or other forms of
exercise can help them manage their stress.

Following Up with Your Dentist

There are other ways to manage and treat your TMJ pain. It’s essential to follow up with your dentist. If any of these exercises are painful, do not continue them. Allowing your dentist to
examine your TMJ and determine the cause can help you uncover exercises and treatment
techniques that will work for you.

TMJ disorders are absolutely treatable and can be managed. For some people, determining the
cause of their TMJ disorder can help implement a successful treatment process to make their
pain go away permanently. For others, managing their stress and triggers for TMJ pain can help
effectively manage the disorder.

Your dentist is the first step to alleviating discomfort in your TMJ. By scheduling a simple exam,
you can determine if you suffer from a TMJ disorder and what treatments are available to help
you feel better today!

The post Dentist Recommended Exercises to Treat TMJ appeared first on Your Dental Health Resource.

Headaches

Headaches are a common symptom of TMJ and could range from mild to migraine-like. Headaches can happen because of the way your jaw works when chewing—there may be pressure on places where there shouldn’t be pressure, and often the neck and jaw muscles tend to be sore and carry tension, which can result in headaches as well. If you’re a common sufferer of headaches, you may want to check with your dentist to see if TMJ could be the cause.

Noise

Many people with TMJ experience odd sounds when they chew or open and close their mouths, as this is the most common symptom of the disorder. These noises could range from a clicking or ticking noise to a popping sound to even a grinding noise. These sounds are often annoying to people who experience them and they may be persistent or worsen over time. These clicking and popping noises may be painful when they happen or may be loud enough for others to hear. This noise can happen as the result of the joint being displaced and is usually uncomfortable regardless of whether or not any pain is experienced.

Pain

For some people, TMJ is merely uncomfortable. For others, however, it can be very painful. Your jaw muscles are very powerful, and when your joints in your jaw aren’t working correctly, this can create immense pressure and tension which could lead to painful headaches, sore muscles, and even pain when chewing or speaking. Some people may only experience pain when opening their mouths wide, such as when yawning, others may experience pain anytime they open their mouth, which can be very uncomfortable.

Ear or Facial Discomfort

People with TMJ will often experience an odd feeling their ears and have facial pain from the tense muscles and locking jaw. You may also experience pain in your ear or around the ear, or even a popping sound in your ear. Facial discomfort from TMJ could range from having sore neck or jaw muscles to having sensitive temples and more. Everyone is different and so not everyone will necessarily experience the same TMJ symptoms.

If you suspect you have TMJ or are experiencing any of these symptoms, visit your dentist. Although traditional doctors are appropriate as well, your dentist is trained specially in oral health care and can often diagnose TMJ before your primary care doctor would consider it as the cause. There is treatment for TMJ, so seek help for your symptoms!

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