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

The post Understanding the Link Between TMJ and Migraines appeared first on Your Dental Health Resource.

Sleep apnea should be evaluated and addressed due to its devastating effects on the body. How
do you know whether or not you’re suffering from sleep apnea? Here are the top signs you may
need to seek help!

Snoring

If you know you snore or your partner tells you that you snore, this is a sign of an obstructed
airway and could point to sleep apnea. Snoring is one of the top signs of this sleep disorder and
is best evaluated by a sleep specialist.

One of the most common types of sleep apnea is obstructive sleep apnea, in which the airway
is blocked by the tissues of the throat, your tongue, or the anatomy of your airway. Snoring
could be indicative of sleep apnea, so get a sleep specialist to check, especially if you’re
experiencing these other symptoms.

Fatigue

Daytime or excessive fatigue is common in people who have sleep apnea. As a result of the
repeated waking during the night from not being able to breathe, your body isn’t able to get
the deep rest that it needs to function during the day.

If you’re excessively tired all the time and still get enough sleep at night, sleep apnea could be
the culprit. This should be evaluated as soon as possible, as daytime fatigue can lead to lack of
concentration and accidents!

Headaches

Having a headache is a painful experience that affects how you function. If you have a
persistent headache, you might be suffering from sleep apnea and not know it.

Since your body is deprived of oxygen in the presence of sleep apnea, this can lead the brain to
be deficient in oxygen as well. This can create headaches or migraines that may be present only
upon waking or throughout the day.If you have unexplained headaches, it’s time to consider if
sleep apnea could be the cause.

Other Health Problems

Sleep apnea can affect your risk for many other health problems. These include heart disease,
high blood pressure, and diabetes. If you suffer from any of these health problems in
combination with the signs above, it’s time to get evaluated for sleep apnea.

Since sleep apnea can be responsible for other health concerns and even cause premature
death, it’s important to seek treatment for your sleep apnea. Treatment can eliminate your
symptoms and help your body function normally again—and you’ll feel better!

Are you seeing any of the above signs in your daily life? From snoring to headaches to fatigue,
sleep apnea can be responsible for all of these symptoms and more. Your dentist can refer you
to a sleep specialist who can help you with a diagnosis. There is hope and treatment for sleep
apnea, so seek help today!

The post Top Signs You May Be Suffering from Sleep Apnea appeared first on Your Dental Health Resource.

Your dentist can examine your jaw and likely tell if you have a problem with the TMJ and talk with you about treatments that could help relieve your migraines. What is the link between migraines and the TMJ?

Misaligned TMJ Causes Tension

The TMJ is the joint that anchors your jawbone to your skull. This complex joint is responsible for helping you chew your food and speak properly, not to mention yawn! The muscles that help to support this joint may be the cause of your migraines if you have a misaligned TMJ. When the TMJ is misaligned, it causes pressure on these muscles whenever you move your jaw. This is because the muscles are trying to readjust themselves back into place—the constant pressure of these straining muscles that support an uneven TMJ can cause migraines!

Jaw Problems Cause Additional Symptoms

If you have a problem with your TMJ, such as misalignment, this issue can cause additional symptoms that may contribute to your migraines. For instance, people with a TMJ disorder are more likely to grind their teeth. Teeth grinding puts immense pressure on your teeth and jaw and can be responsible for tension headaches and migraines. You may also experience other symptoms such as aching teeth or even earaches along with your migraines if you suffer from a TMJ disorder!

Teeth Touching Creates Pressure

If you have an abnormal bite in which your teeth constantly touch, also called malocclusion, you likely have a TMJ disorder. Your teeth shouldn’t touch at all—not when the jaw is resting and very rarely during eating. When your teeth touch as the result of an uneven jaw, this touching can cause your jaw muscles to contract. When this happens, pressure is created and this pressure can cause tension throughout the cranium and may end up causing a severe headache or migraine.

Causes and Treatment

There’s no exact cause of TMJ disorders. Your TMJ misalignment could be the result of an injury to your face and jaw, malocclusion, or even stress, anxiety, and arthritis. Often it may be a combination of these factors that causes your TMJ disorder and migraine headaches. Fortunately, there is treatment for TMJ disorders. Your dentist can examine your jaw joint and talk with you about any symptoms you may be experiencing.

If you’ve been suffering from migraines and medication or other therapies haven’t helped, the underlying problem could be in your jaw! The link between the TMJ and migraines is evident in that problems with the TMJ create pressure and tension which can lead to severe migraines, especially if the problem is ongoing. By visiting an experienced dentist, you can find out if jaw tension or a misaligned bite is actually causing your headaches!

The post Understanding the Link between Migraines and TMJ appeared first on Your Dental Health Resource.