Headaches are a horrible experience no matter what the underlying cause may be, but headaches caused by a temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJD) can often result in other painful symptoms as well. Since TMJ headaches share lots of similarities with regular headaches, it isn’t uncommon for TMJ headaches to be misdiagnosed as regular tension headaches. How do you tell if your headache is being caused by TMJD? Well, it is important to understand that headaches and TMJ problems can be intertwined. There are often telltale signs that an individual can look for that can tell them if they need to be treated for a disorder in the temporomandibular joint.
What is a TMJ Headache?
A TMJ headache often occurs with symptoms that are aggravated further by jaw movement. In addition to easily being aggravated by jaw movement, there tends to be a soreness that is felt near the temporomandibular joint and its surrounding muscles. Regular headaches and migraines tend to be more of a sharp, throbbing pain that are localized in the different lobes of the brain, but TMJ headaches will often result in similar localized pain in addition to that jaw tenderness. TMJD can also increase the frequency that headaches occur due to an undiagnosed underlying TMJ problem that continues without treatment.
What You Need to Know About the TMJ
Every person has two temporomandibular joints that they use to perform everyday functions like talking, chewing, swallowing, and yawning. These joints are located on each side of your head, right below your ears, and connect your jawbone to your skull with surrounding muscle tissue. This joint is different from other joints in the body because of its ability to open and close and move side to side. Disorders of the temporomandibular joint are relatively common and can result in symptoms like lockjaw, jaw clicking, jaw muscle soreness, and of course TMJ headaches. They are so common that 10% of the population reports TMJ pain while TMJ disorder may occur in roughly 46% of the overall population.
Close Association Between TMJ and Headaches
Historically, jaw pain associated with headaches were often misdiagnosed as regular tension headaches or migraines that resulted in referred pain in the muscles that surround the jaw and face. Recently, more focus has been put on TMJD as the reason behind headaches, rather than a symptom of the headache. Studies have indicated that headache occur much more frequently with patients that show TMJD symptoms with the 2 ailments showing a significant correlative relationship. The reasoning behind this is when the muscle groups that are used for mastication become aggravated, tense, or damaged due to TMJD, stress is placed on the connective tissues around your head which result in headaches.
Difference Between TMJ Headaches & Tension Headaches
There are instances where your headache is actually just a headache and is not being caused by a TMJD. Normal headaches and migraines usually have symptoms like sensitivity to light, noise, and smells that a TMJ headache may not cause. They can also result in nausea which are not usually indicative of a TMJ related headache.
What Are the Symptoms of a TMJ Headache?
TMJ headaches are often accompanied with symptoms of:
- Jaw clicks or pops that occur during normal mouth functions like yawning or chewing
- Difficulty performing normal mouth functions like chewing or talking
- Pain that results from normal jaw movements
- Pain or sensitivity felt near the ears
- Tinnitus or a ringing sound in ears / hearing impairment
- Locked jaw that prevents opening or closing of the jaw
- Pain and soreness around the temporomandibular joint
- Jaw muscle tightness
Experiencing any of the above symptoms prior to or during a headache is a good indicator that the headache may be caused or exacerbated by a TMJ issue or disorder.
TMJ Headache Location
Normal tension headaches are typically felt in:
- the frontal lobe of your brain which results in a dull throbbing pain behind the eyes
- the rear lobe of your brain around the base of your neck which can cause neck soreness
- on one side of the brain or the other or unilaterally on both sides of the brain
TMJ headaches result in pain that is centralized along the top of your head similar to some tension headache symptoms, but also include muscle soreness in the cheeks, ears, jaw, and even neck and shoulders.
What Causes a TMJ Headache?
Temporomandibular joint disorders can typically result in headaches due to inflammation and swelling around the temporomandibular joint. As this swelling increases the pressure localized around the joint, it causes referred pain in the surrounding muscles that causes those muscles to become tight and even spasm. This tightness is felt throughout the muscles in the skull, face, and neck which can eventually lead to headache like symptoms. There are several potential TMJ headache causes:
- Misaligned jaw
- Dislocation of the TMJ
- Damage to the cartilage in the TMJ
- Arthritis
- Referred myofascial pain
- Injury or trauma to the jawbone or surrounding muscle tissue
- Constant pressure from grinding teeth
- Significant over / under bite
- Excessive chewing or chewing on hard / tough foods
How Are TMJ Headaches Diagnosed?
TMJ headaches can be difficult to diagnose but a criterion to determine if a headache is TMJD related has been developed by the International Headache Society. The criterion to determine if a headache or facial pain can be attributed to TMJD is listed as:
- Pain that is recurring in one or more areas of the face or head
- MRI / X-ray that clearly demonstrates a disorder of the TMJ
- Evidence that pain is caused by one of the following indicators of TMJD:
- Jaw movements that cause or exacerbate pain
- Reduced range of movement in the TMJ
- Irregular noise caused by TMJ movement
- Soreness surrounding the TMJ joint or muscles
- Headache or pain that disappears and does not return after successful TMJD treatment
Effective TMJ Headache Treatments
Treating TMJ related headaches often start with treating the underlying TMJ problem. This could require everything from the use of occlusal appliance, lifestyle changes, and even surgery. Below are the many different methods of alleviating pressure that may cause the underlying TMJD.
Lifestyle Changes
Sometimes the TMJ can get aggravated by simple things that can be avoided if efforts are consciously made to reduce those activities.
- Avoid tough, hard, or chewy foods
- Reduce jaw clenching and teeth grinding
- Following stress reduction practices like yoga
- Minimize yawning with an open mouth
- Practice jaw exercises that help relax jaw muscles
Occlusal Appliances / Therapy
Oral appliances are another less invasive treatment option and often include the use of mouth guards / splints to help realign the jaw when not in use. These appliances can be worn while sleeping or awake to help reduce actions that may exacerbate TMJ pain, like teeth grinding.
Medication
Medications are a non-invasive treatment option, but certain medications only disguise the pain rather than help resolve the problem in the first place. With that said, it is better to take medications that help reduce inflammation to help minimize TMJ flare ups. Using nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications like aspirin and ibuprofen have been shown to be effective in reducing TMJ pain without just disguising the pain. Another class of medications that help reduce TMJ stress are muscle relaxers. It is important to discuss these options with a trained medical professional before taking medications in excess.
Surgical Treatment
For severe cases of TMJD, where other treatment options have failed, surgical treatments may be the only remaining option. Orthodontic work and other dental surgeries may be required to fix misaligned jaws and over / under bites that may be the cause of the TMJD resulting in severe TMJ headaches.
What is the Outlook for a TMJ Headache?
Dealing with recurring headaches can seem like a problem that won’t go away. However, if your headaches are the result of a TMJD, then it could be misdiagnosed which is the reason why the headaches keep coming back. If any of the above symptoms or causes sound familiar it may be time to speak with a TMJ doctor who specializes in recognizing TMJD and how to effectively treat them. Getting the appropriate treatment for the right underlying cause should help eliminate TMJD symptoms and the associated headaches.
Seek Out a TMJ Specialist to Treat TMJ Headaches
If you feel as if you are experiencing the comorbidities of both tension headaches and a temporomandibular joint disorder, it may be time to get a consultation done by an orofacial pain doctor who specializes in recognizing problems associated with the temporomandibular joint. Dr. Kathy Omrani is a licensed and trained orofacial pain doctor who has years of experience successfully treating problems associated with jaw pain and headaches. Call today to schedule an appointment to have her take a look to see if your headaches are in fact TMJ related. If they are, there is most likely a treatment option that should be able to help alleviate that pain by minimizing the impacts of the underlying TMJD. Call (310) 422 – 4246 today to schedule an appointment to get the correct diagnosis you need so you can move forward with TMJ headache treatment immediately.
TMJ Headache FAQs
How do you get rid of TMJ headaches?
Treatments for TMJ headaches can vary depending on the severity of the underlying TMJD. Some instances of TMJ headaches can be treated with simple lifestyle changes combined with anti-inflammatory medications while more severe cases may require physical therapy or surgery.
Does TMJ headache go away?
TMJ headache symptoms may go away on their own but often times the underlying TMJ problem will cause the TMJ headaches to return if not treated. The severity of the underlying problem will really dictate how often and severe TMJ headaches will return so it is recommended that treatment is sought out from a TMJ specialist.
Is TMJ headache serious?
The seriousness of the TMJ headache really depends on the underlying cause of the TMJD. Sometimes these can be as simple as being stress related but other times could indicate a more serious underlying problem like muscle tissue damage or arthritis. If you are suffering from TMJ headaches, it is recommended that you are seen by a professional so the underlying cause can be identified and treated appropriately.
