Many people who suffer from chronic headaches and migraines do not know that temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD) causes them. Your temporomandibular joint is where your lower jaw connects to your skull. When this joint gets out of alignment, it is referred to as TMD, and it can cause many different physical problems.
When your temporomandibular joint is out of alignment, it causes the muscles in your face, head, and neck that surround the joint, to strain at everything they do. Even while at rest, the muscles are having excess stress put on them because of the misaligned joint.
The strained muscles in your head, face, and neck can cause headaches or TMJ migraines. TMJ headaches are often so painful, severe, and frequent that they are misdiagnosed as migraines. One of the ways to determine if you are suffering from headaches or migraines as a result of TMD is by getting diagnosed by a specially trained neuromuscular dentist like Dr. Pavlenko in Edmonton, Alberta.
When the muscles are constantly strained or contracted they can cause tension headaches. TMJ headaches can also be caused by a build-up of blood pressure. When the muscles in your face, head, and neck are strained, they prevent blood from flowing to the correct places. When this happens, your body attempts to correct the problem by sending more blood to the area, which increases blood pressure. This can cause a very painful feeling of pressure around the head, called a vascular headache.
A neuromuscular dentist will work with you to diagnose your headaches or migraines and determine if TMJ is causing them. If it is, he will design a treatment plan specifically suited for you. First he will relax and rid the muscles around the joint to stop the pain they are causing. Then, your jaw will be stabilized so that the best treatment for you can be determined. Finally, the two of you can discuss a long-term treatment that is designed specifically for you.
The symptoms of TMD can cause discomfort and they can lead to serious physical damage. You could be suffering from TMD if you are experiencing symptoms like:
· Sensitive/Sore Teeth
· Sore jaw muscles
· Pain in the head, neck, and shoulders
· Facial Pain
· Headaches
· Migraines
· Ringing in the ears
· Locking of the jaw
· Clicking/Popping of the jaw
· Limited jaw movement
· Worn Teeth
· Chipped Teeth
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