If you suffer from frequent headaches, migraines, or neck pain, you may be at a loss to explain what’s going on. After all, if you aren’t doing anything to cause these issues, it can be confusing to understand why they’re happening. Often, people are surprised to learn that their temporomandibular (TMJ) joint could be to blame for their head and neck pain. Although the TMJ connects your jaw to your skull, it can affect more than just the movement of your mouth. Here’s a closer look at TMJ dysfunction and why it could be responsible for your headaches and neck pain.
What is TMJ Dysfunction?
The temporomandibular joint is the joint that connects the jaw to your skull, allowing you to open and close your mouth to eat, speak, and smile. Unfortunately, the TMJ can become misaligned due to excessive use, injury, or even genetics. This can cause difficulties opening and closing the mouth, jaw stiffness, tinnitus (ear ringing), and even pain that radiates through the head and neck.
Close Encounters: The Connection Between the Jaw, Muscles, and Nerves
While it may not seem obvious, your temporomandibular joint is innately connected to the other nearby systems of the body, including the jaw, head and neck muscles, and nerves. That’s because when the jaw becomes misaligned due to a TMJ disorder, it can put pressure on other areas of the body. This in turn can create radiating pain in the trigeminal nerve, as well as tension and migraine headaches.
How Jaw Position Can Strain the Neck and Shoulders
When your jaw is not aligned properly, the neck and shoulders often must compensate for the muscle imbalance. This puts undue strain on them, which can lead to tightness and inflammation that results in radiating pain throughout the upper body. It can also encourage poor posture of the head and neck, which may result in additional or more severe headaches from muscle fatigue and tension. It can also put undue strain on the cervical vertebrae which can compress the nerves and even cause facial pain.
Why Recurring Headaches May Have a Structural Component
Getting to the bottom of your recurring headaches is understandably a priority for most people. Unfortunately, however, they often don’t realize these episodes could have a structural component. That’s because the connection between the head and jaw is more significant than many people realize. In fact, misalignment can often lead to uneven pressure distribution, which can in turn encourage muscle fatigue and even tension headaches. The stress placed on the TMJ can also cause pain in the temples, neck, and behind the eyes.
When Should I Get a TMJ Evaluation?
There are a variety of symptoms that could indicate a TMJ disorder. If you suffer from any of the following, don’t waste precious time muddling through with temporary fixes that may or may not help in the moment and certainly don’t permanently eliminate the problem:
- Ringing ears (tinnitus).
- Frequent, unexplained tension or migraine headaches.
- Jaw pain or stiffness.
- Difficulty opening and closing your mouth.
- Neck, shoulder, or back pain.
- Pain behind the eyes.
- Teeth grinding (bruxism).
Remember, unexplained headaches, migraines, and neck and shoulder pain can be extremely uncomfortable and debilitating, greatly diminishing your quality of life. If a TMJ disorder is responsible for this discomfort, your dentist may be able to help. To learn more about this condition, and to see how treating it could alleviate your pain, schedule a consultation with your dentist today and get the lasting relief you deserve.
About Dr. Lim
Dr. Heng Lim earned his undergraduate degree at Oklahoma City University and his dental degree at the University of Oklahoma. He has taken advanced courses at Baylor College of Dentistry, as well as the Las Vegas Institute for Advanced Dental Studies, earning LVI Fellow (LVIF) status for his efforts. To schedule a consultation for TMJ therapy at Life Smiles of Owasso, visit our website or call us today at 918-274-3779.