How Can TMJ Cause Migraine?

Although your migraine may give you mild to moderate pain on the top or side of your head, it can begin at the bottom of your skull.

The jaw and skull connecting part is your temporomandibular joint (TMJ). You can speak, chew, and yawn with your TMJ. But your migraine can also come from the supporting muscles of the joint.

A number of TMJ muscles under the jaw and cheeks, tops and sides of the head can contribute to the pain. You must follow up with TMJ treatment upon visiting your dentist. Headache could be caused by your maxillary muscles.

This is how it is: when you grind or close your teeth, your jaw muscles tighten. The jaw pain caused by the tightening then goes to other parts of the cranium, causing headaches or migraines in severe cases. You may have toothaches, ear pain or pain in your shoulder. At this point you need help of a TMJ dentist.

Is This Migraine?

A migraine occurs often. If left untreated, it may cause mild to severe pain. Migraines affect over 10% of the American population – including children.

Migraines are often seen as a sparkling pain. The pain can only happen on one head side, but not on either side. The pain may be triggered by scents, stress, sounds, activity light, or hormonal changes.

You may be temporarily susceptible to light, sound and smell and feel nauseous by a migraine. Migraine can also be compounded by physical activity. Some people experience changes in vision or sensorial changes before, during or after headache, called auras.

How to Help Pain?

  • Use a Cold Compress

Put a cold pack on your brow if you have a migraine. The pain might be lessened by the ice cubes wrought in a towel, a bag of frozen peas or a cold shower. Hold on the compress for 15 minutes, then take a 15-minute break.

  • Use Warm Compress

Put a heat pad on your neck or the back of your head when you have headaches. Hold a warm cloth to the area that hurts if you have sinus headache. You can also get a warm shower.

  • Pressure off Headache

It could cause a headache if your ponytail is too tight. These "external compression headaches" may also be caused by a hat, a bracelet, or even too tight shades. Women who loosened their hair went found their headache healed in one study.

  • Turn off the Light

Even from your computer screen, bright or flickering light can cause headaches. Cover the windows with black curtains at daytime if you are prone to them. Wear outdoor sunglasses. You can also add anti-blinding screens to your computer and use light bulbs for daylight.

  • Do Not Chew

Not only your jaw, but your head can get hurt by chewing the gum. The same applies to chewing your nails, lips, indoors or cheeks and other handy objects, such as styles. Avoid sticky and crunchy foods and ensure that you take small snacks. Ask your dentist about a mouth guard when you grind your teeth at night. This can stop your headaches early in the morning.

  • Have Coffee

Have a little caffeine in it, tea, coffee or something. It could relief your headache if you get it early enough. It can contribute to the improvement of pain relievers such as acetaminophen. Just don't drink excessive amount because the removal of caffeine can cause your own headache type.

Contact TMJ treatment specialist at Comprehensive Family Dentistry. Our TMJ dentist here would guide you for the oral issues and TMD.

Disclaimer: This content is not a professional dental or medical advice and does not imply a relationship between patient and care provider or the doctors.

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