If you suffer from migraines or headaches on a regular basis, this may be a result of temporomandibular joint disorder, also known as TMJ disorder or TMD. The TMJ is the joint, which connects the lower jaw to your skull. You can feel your TMJ working if you place your fingers on the side of your face just in front of your ear lobes and open and close your mouth.
There are various factors, including teeth grinding, which can cause the muscles around the TMJ to become strained and this can result on headaches and migraines, as well as stiffness in the joint and earache. Bruxism is the medical name for teeth grinding and usually, it is associates with stress or anxiety.
Treating TMJ disorder
In many cases, there is no need for formal treatment and aches and pains subside independently; however, in the case of persistent migraines and headaches, intervention may be recommended. In cases where teeth grinding is linked to pain in the joint, we can provide custom-made mouth guards, which are worn at night, to prevent the teeth from clashing and reduce strain on the joint and the surrounding muscles. We can also help to address problems with the bite and suggest stress management techniques, which may help to reduce the frequency and intensity of teeth grinding.
If you suffer from migraines and you’ve tried over the counter remedies to no avail, come and see us! You don’t have to suffer in silence.
