Almost everyone has experienced a headache at some point in their life. They can be brought on by many things, including stress, anxiety, lack of sleep, neurological disorders, etc., which are all normal reasons. If your headaches are frequent, that is not normal, however. In that case, they may be caused by dental problems. Treatment from a dentist could help significantly.
Frequent or constant headaches, particularly experienced when you wake up in the morning, may be a result of dysfunction in the temporomandibular joints (TMJ). These are the joints on the side of your mouth that open and close your mouth. Health practitioners often misdiagnose TMJ headaches.
About TMJ Dysfunction
Causes
TMJ dysfunction can be caused by a number of things, including arthritis, dislocation, injury, tooth and jaw alignment, or stress and teeth grinding. TMJ dysfunction causes a range of concerns and symptoms, including worn or damaged teeth, discomfort in the jaw, and frequent headaches.
Symptoms
TMJ dysfunction causes symptoms that can range from temporary to long-lasting. Most common in patients between the ages of 20 and 40 and more common in women than in men, here are some symptoms that if you experience, you should make an appointment:
- Pain in the face, particularly around the ear, when you chew, open or close your mouth, or speak
- Limited ability to open your mouth
- Jaws that ‘stick’, ‘click’, or ‘pop’, when you open or close your mouth
- Difficulty chewing or the feeling that the upper and lower jaw are not fitting together
- Swelling on one or both sides of the face
Treatment for TMJ Dysfunction
While most patients will benefit from an evaluation and appropriate dental treatment, there are lifestyle changes that can reduce the severity of symptoms and complement your treatment for a more lasting and effective result.
Many people find relief from symptoms through a softer diet, avoiding chewing or biting nails, using a heat pack, or practicing stress management through exercise, meditation, and other relaxation techniques. Dr. Sheen will thoroughly evaluate all aspects of your bite before recommending treatment to reduce pain and restore your dental health. Options can include:
Night Guards or Splint Guards
Mouthguards are plastic mouthpieces that fit over the upper and lower teeth. Mouthguards are used to lessen the effects of grinding or clenching and attempt to correct the bite by positioning the teeth correctly. Getting a custom mouthguard from Dr. Sheen is a simple process. First, he will take impressions of your teeth to create a mold. Then a dental laboratory will fabricate it. At your next visit, you will try it on to make sure it fits, and you are comfortable wearing it.
Bite Correction Procedures
If problems persist, your dentist in Annapolis, MD is able to perform a bite correction procedure to treat TMJ dysfunction. This often includes replacing missing teeth or inserting crowns or veneers, allowing the teeth to make proper contact.
If you suffer from frequent headaches or you have other dental concerns, don’t wait another day. Please schedule an appointment with Dr. Sheen of Annapolis today. Consultation and recommendation for treatments could correct your headaches forever.