5 Signs Your Headache is Caused by TMJ

June 15, 2024
1811 Views

Many people may not know it, but headaches are indicative of underlying medical conditions that require immediate attention. It’s hard to determine the cause of a headache; it can be caused by stress, certain drugs, or even intense exercise. However, you might not be aware of another frequent reason for headaches, which is jaw pain. Here are 5 signs your headache is caused by TMJ.

5 Signs Your Headache is Due to TMJ

Below are the 5 signs your headache could be related to TMJ:

1. Problem with the Bite

The TMJ is the only joint in the human body that is complicated by having 28 teeth lodged between its opening and closing motion. Our bite, or the point where our teeth meet, determines its location.

Therefore, there is a strong chance that your TMJ joints are out of alignment if your bite feels strange or your teeth don’t fit together properly. If so, headache and exhaustion will result from the muscles that must move, stabilize, and support the joints.

2. Jaw Activity

Timing is an important factor here. If you get a headache after chewing gum, biting your fingernails, eating hard foods, or engaging in other activities that put extra strain on your jaw, it can be a sign that your headache is caused by TMJ.

3. Clicking or Popping of Jaw

Every part of your body ought to function smoothly; they must spin silently and without making any noise. The bottom portion of the joint, known as the condyle, is out of alignment if your jaw snaps or clicks as you open or close your mouth.

The popping does not hurt, but it is an indication that the joint is misaligned and requires therapy. The headache will come from the tired muscles that have to stabilize the joint in that incorrect posture.

4. Forward Head Posture

Forward head posture is when your head is in front of your shoulders when you stand up straight; this posture affects your airway and bite. Your neck’s muscles and vertebrae are put under more tension and strain the more forward of the central axis it is. This issue can cause severe headaches as well as sharp neck pain.

5. Snoring

A number of elements contribute to snoring, but the posture of our lower jaw is one of the most significant. We snore when our tongue is positioned a little bit too far back because it vibrates on our soft palate and blocks our airway. Thus, although snoring itself causes headaches, it also indicates that our lower jaw is positioned too far back, and the pain is caused by TMJ.

Final Say!

Headaches can be an indication of a number of issues, meaning you should not ignore a migraine if it comes with vomiting or fever. This blog has explained 5 signs your headache is caused by TMJ, if you can relate to any of the above-mentioned symptoms, you must see a doctor ASAP.

For better understanding regarding the issue, visit Whole Health Dental Centre and call (703) 385-6425 to book your appointment.

Recent Blogs

Why is My Jaw Clicking When Chewing?

Jan 15, 2025

Is your jaw clicking when chewing? You might be alarmed to hear a clicking sound coming from your jaw as you eat your meal. A popping jaw can be a sign of many health conditions, including TMJ disorders. In this blog, we will discuss the possible causes of a clicking jaw and more. Continue reading […]

632 Views Read more

Can Tongue Thrust Cause Dental Health Issues?

Dec 30, 2024

Tongue thrusting is when you press or rest your tongue against the back of your front teeth. While it is a natural instinct for babies, some children keep doing it when they get older. This is especially true if the baby uses pacifiers and engages in thumbsucking. However, tongue thrusting can be detrimental to dental […]

1523 Views Read more

Are Jaw Exercises Bad For Your Teeth?

Dec 15, 2024

Everyone is raving about jaw exercises — mewing, chin-ups, and other devices — and they claim to define your jaw and give you the ‘lethal face card’ if you will. But, from a dental point of view, are jaw exercises bad for your teeth? In this blog, we will talk about the effects of jaw […]

799 Views Read more

4 Possible Causes of Sleep Apnea & How a Holistic Dentist Can Help

Nov 30, 2024

Imagine you had a long day, and finally, you got into bed to sleep, but there is an issue: you have disrupted sleep due to a sleep-breathing disorder called sleep apnea. It can affect the quality of your life if not treated. While there are a number of treatments for sleep apnea in traditional dentistry, […]

611 Views Read more

Does Dry Mouth Cause Cavities?

Nov 15, 2024

When your mouth does not have enough saliva to keep it wet, it is known as xerostomia, also called dry mouth. It is not rare to deal with a dry mouth, but it requires proper attention because a dry mouth can increase the risk of dental health issues. So, does dry mouth cause cavities? Continue […]

779 Views Read more

Can a Toothache Cause Ear Pain?

Oct 30, 2024

It can be pretty painful and frustrating to deal with a painful tooth, so imagine if your ear starts hurting, too. You may think the universe is against you as you suffer from tooth and ear pain at the same time, but there might be a connection between the two. So, can a toothache cause […]

1017 Views Read more

What Happens if You Don’t Brush Your Teeth

Oct 15, 2024

A core part of daily hygiene is oral care, and neglecting your dental health can lead to dire circumstances. Not only does it lead to bad breath, decay, and yellow teeth, but not brushing teeth can actually cause severe health issues. Children, especially, are reckless about their dental care. In this blog, we will talk […]

933 Views Read more

Can TMJ Cause Neck and Shoulder Pain?

Sep 30, 2024

Are you suffering from neck and shoulder pain? While there are many reasons why you may have discomfort in these areas, the temporomandibular joint disorder is also a possible cause. You may be wondering if it is really true — can TMJ cause neck and shoulder pain? The answer is yes, and we will talk […]

1064 Views Read more

What is the Gagging and Tongue Thrust Reflex in Babies?

Sep 15, 2024

Are you concerned about your baby’s frequent gagging and tongue thrust reflex? As a new parent, there are so many things about infants that we don’t understand, and it’s alright. From birth to early childhood, everything your infant does is a milestone, like when they begin rolling over, crawling, and walking, and not to forget […]

788 Views Read more