TMJ or TMD, common abbreviations for temporomandibular joint disorders, cause symptoms such as unusual jaw noises, trouble opening the mouth, pain when biting or chewing, and headaches. Many patients with TMJ report headaches as a major symptom, including primary headaches, which include migraines [1].
But what is the link between TMJ and migraines? Let’s take a closer look at the relationship between these two conditions.
Does TMJ Cause Migraines?
Although temporomandibular joint disorders have not been shown to cause migraines, there is a connection. That connection is the trigeminal nerve, a major nerve partly responsible for controlling facial muscles and providing feeling to your face.
The trigeminal nerve contains three branches. The first branch has been linked to the neurons involved in migraine development, while those involved in TMJ disorders are connected to the third branch [2].
As a result of their close relationship with the trigeminal nerve, the temporomandibular joints and the muscles that support them may play a role in migraines.
If you have an inflamed trigeminal nerve with TMJ, you may feel throbbing, radiating pain that extends outward from your face to your neck and shoulders. Any issues that impact your temporomandibular joints, such as jaw misalignment, overuse of the jaw joints, teeth grinding, or frequently chewing gum or tough foods, may affect your trigeminal nerve and cause headaches.
How to Know If a Headache Could Be Related to TMJ
People with temporomandibular joint disorders are at higher risk of experiencing headaches such as migraines, but not every headache is related to TMJ [3].
Most often, patients will have other TMJ symptoms along with their headaches. These include common symptoms of TMJ disorders, including:
- Jaw pain or tender facial muscles
- Clicking or popping noises when moving the jaw
- Inability to fully open the mouth
- Ear symptoms, such as earaches
If you have a headache or migraine along with these symptoms, it’s possible that your head pain could be related to TMJ.
Diagnosis and Treatment for Patients With Migraines and TMJ
The first step in treating patients who have both migraines and TMJ is diagnosis. Advanced imaging technology, such as a CT scan, may be necessary to identify any inflammation around the jaw joints or a misaligned bite, which could be exacerbating TMJ symptoms.
Since the factors influencing TMJ development and migraine development in patients can vary, your oral healthcare provider must understand your symptoms and any root causes to develop an individualized treatment plan to reduce your symptoms.
Treatment may include correcting an improper bite, trigger point injections, eating soft foods, or even adjusting dental restorations to restore the patient’s natural bite and tooth alignment.
Experiencing Migraines or TMJ?
Whether you have TMJ symptoms or debilitating headaches, there is treatment available. If you have regular migraines without an identified cause, follow up with a dentist experienced in treating temporomandibular joint disorders to see if your head pain could be caused by TMJ!
Sources:
1. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5756792/
2. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7554700/
3. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3505700/
