The headache connection..

In my clinical practice, I have learned to be not surprised by the many patients having TMJ related headaches. Yes. Headaches go hand in hand with TMJ disorders. About 80% of the patients with a TMJ disorder and or any other facial pain complaint have concurrent headache complaints.

How will I know my headache is related to my TMJ disorder?

Headache related to a TMJ disorder usually presents as a dull, pressure, ache that usually occurs in the temple region of your forehead, that may get worse with jaw movements, especially with the clenching of your teeth. All headaches need to be first evaluated by your family physicians before being treated as being related to your TMJ disorder.

How common is it to have a headache along with jaw issues?

Believe it or not, up to 80% of patients with jaw pain, experience headaches and most of the patient in treatment for their jaw pain, report a concurrent improvement in their headache symptoms.

I have migraines. Could those be related to my jaw/TMJ problem?

Clinically, patients do report more frequent severe headaches like migraines if their jaw pain has worsened in intensity. After having addressed their migraine complaint medically with a Neurologist, it is adviced to explore the possible association with their TMJ complaint with a TMJ and facial pain specialist.

I know I get a headache and I know its related to me clenching my teeth. Now what do I do?

Talk to your family doctor, or even your dentist. They may be able to refer you to a local TMJ/facial pain specialist for further help. Headache related to TMJ disorders,  commonly occurs because of tensed muscles in your temples that are really your jaw muscles located up there. So, a specialist would either make you a mouthguard known as a "Splint" to prevent the teeth clenching from contributing to a headache or may use physical therapy techniques to relieve the muscle tension and or use other tools including medications.


Until I get to see a doctor, what can I do to help myself?


First and foremost if you have a new headache that is severe, and you notice nausea, vomiting or blurred vision, PLEASE SEE YOUR DOCTOR ASAP. 


For a headache that feels like a "regular" tension headache, applying moist heat/cold, eating soft foods, avoiding chewing gum and consciously unclenching your teeth are all comforting to the muscles.

For further information, the American Headache Society (AHS) has useful information for patients suffering with headaches and the link to their website is posted on the side bar in this blog page.

For the official AHS summary for Temporomandibular disorder and Headache, you can click here:

http://www.achenet.org/education/patients/TemporomandibularDisordersandHeadache.asp