TMJ Headaches Migraines Airdrie

If you have been having severe headaches and have tried to find relief from them without success it may be because you have been addressing the wrong headache cause. Painkillers can help for a time but are not a long term solution if the cause of your headaches and migraines are due to problems with your temporomandibular joint, or TMJ.

If your TMJ has been damaged, it can cause a number of seemingly unrelated symptoms including TMJ headaches and TMJ migraines. Other symptoms of TMJ include neck and back pain, muscle pain, ear ringing and congestion, inability to open your mouth, and sometimes even problems with speech. TMJ is often due to a dental problem.

Your temporomandibular joint is the important joint that controls such activities as talking, chewing, biting and drinking. It is a joint that allows movement between the upper and lower jaws. The joint is susceptible to injury for a number of different reasons from accidents to habitual teeth grinding to misalignment caused by the way your teeth have grown over the years.

The jaw joint consists of an integrated set of ligaments, tendons, muscles and nerves. Any damage to the joint can cause headache and jaw pain as well as pain in the neck and back. Unless the TMJ problem is addressed, the headaches or migraines are likely to continue unabated despite temporary relief from painkillers.

Fortunately, if temporomandibular disorder is diagnosed, a dental solution can often be found which can help to bring relief.

When you arrange a consultation at our Airdrie dental clinic, we will make a thorough examination of your mouth and jaw and diagnose whether your TMJ is the cause of your persistent headaches. If this is confirmed, there are a number of different techniques which will address the misalignment of your jaw and can provide longer term relief.

We normally start TMJ treatment by helping to relax the muscles controlling jaw movement with a mild electrical stimulator. A custom made orthotic device or mouthguard can be made to fit inside your mouth which will gently move your jaw into a more comfortable and natural position.

Sometimes, more extensive treatment may be needed, especially if there have been substantial injuries to the jaw from an accident. Treatment may involve movement or removal of some of the teeth with the use of orthodontic techniques so that the jaw can open and close more comfortably.

When you have tried to get relief from cluster headaches but have had no success, it may be time to get a proper diagnosis for TMJ disorder, which could be the main cause of your head pains.

Arrange a consultation with us at You First Dental in Airdrie and we can make a thorough analysis of your situation, and help you determine which treatment would be best for you.

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403-948-3342

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