Have you been experiencing chronic, frequent headaches and migraines? There are a wide range of factors that could be the cause of your pain. One underlying issue could be temporomandibular joint disorder, also known as TMD. Not sure if TMD is the cause? Here’s what you need to know about TMD and how this disorder is linked to headaches.
What Is TMD?
TMD is a jaw joint disorder that occurs when the temporomandibular joints are injured, strained, or malfunctioning. These joints control the jaw’s movement from up and down and side to side, making them a vital joint for eating and speaking. With TMD, patients may experience difficulty fully opening and closing their jaw. Tooth loss, bite or tooth misalignment, and teeth grinding and clenching are just some of the many dental problems that can potentially lead to full-blown TMD.
Common TMD Symptoms
Patients with TMD often report a variety of symptoms in addition to not being able to open and close their jaw with ease, such as:
- Chronic Headaches/Migraines
- Facial Pain
- Jaw Popping
- Lockjaw
- Teeth Clenching
- Teeth Grinding
- Toothaches
- Tooth Sensitivity
Oral Appliance Therapy in Corvallis, OR
At Corvallis Dental Group, we have extensive experience treating TMD. If you believe your headaches may be linked to your jaw joints, please contact our office right away. We can perform an examination to determine if there is a connection. Once we determine the cause of your headaches, we can craft a specialized treatment plan for your smile. To treat TMD, we create custom-fitted oral appliances that look just like retainers. The appliances reposition the jaw to reduce pressure and strain on the joints. They can help reduce the uncomfortable symptoms associated with TMD and give your joints a chance to heal and repair. Please contact our team to schedule your consultation!
