Do you constantly feel an annoying pain in your jaw and find yourself experiencing frequent headaches? If so, then you could be one of the many people who struggle with a TMJ pain disorder. TMJ (temporomandibular joint) disorders can cause persistent pain in the jaw, as well as painful headaches and other symptoms.
The good news is that this common condition has numerous treatments that are designed to reduce discomfort while restoring balance to the muscles around your temporomandibular joints. In this blog post, we'll discuss the different causes, symptoms, and treatment options available for those facing pain and migraine headaches due to a temporomandibular joint pain or TMJ pain disorder.
Table of Contents
What Causes Jaw Pain And Migraine Headaches Most Of The Time?
1. Teeth Grinding / Jaw Clenching
Do you ever find yourself jaw clenching your teeth without even realizing it? If so, you may be experiencing bruxism, a common condition that involves grinding or clenching your teeth unconsciously.
Bruxism can occur at any time, whether you're awake or asleep, and can cause a great deal of discomfort and pain. In fact, it can even lead to headache pain, as the muscles in your upper jaw become tight and restrict blood flow to your head.
Fortunately, there are treatments available to manage and control bruxism, so if you suspect you may be suffering from this condition, don't hesitate to speak with your dentist or doctor.
2. Temporomandibular Joint "TMJ" Disorder symptoms
The most common cause of pain in the jaw joint and headaches is temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ pain). temporomandibular joint Pain is a disorder of the jaw joints that control mouth movement.
Temporomandibular joint disorder can cause pain in the jaw joints, muscles, and other surrounding areas, such as the face and head connecting to the trigeminal nerve area. Some people even experience toothaches, TMJ headache or earaches because of temporomandibular joint pain or TMJ pain.
One of the main symptoms of TMJ pain is a tmj headache or migraine-like pain in front of or around your ears. This can range from mild discomfort to severe throbbing tmj headaches.
3. Toothache
A toothache can be one of the most excruciating pains a person can experience. It's amazing how such a small part of our body can cause such agony. Toothaches can come on suddenly, and when they do, they can quickly spread to other areas of the head.
Not only can you experience pain in your tooth, but jaws and temples can ache as well, causing you to feel pretty miserable. It's important to understand that toothaches are typically the result of an infection or decay in a tooth, and seeking proper treatment is crucial in order to get relief and avoid further complications.
4. Sinus Infection
Sinus infections are the type of ailment that nobody wants to deal with. They can hijack your entire headspace, causing dull aches and stabbing facial pain that make even the smallest tasks seem like monumental challenges.
These little pockets of air, tucked away in your skull, are crucial for keeping your respiratory system running smoothly. But when something goes wrong, it can feel like the walls are closing in.
The key to dealing with a sinus infection is to recognize the symptoms early and seek medical guidance as soon as possible. With the right care and attention, it's possible to recover from this uncomfortable condition and get back to feeling like your old self again.
5. Stress
You're working hard on a tight deadline, and suddenly your head begins to pound. You start to feel a dull ache in your jaw that just won't subside. If this sounds familiar, stress-related problems could be the culprit.
Stress can cause a variety of physical symptoms, including tightness in your muscles and jaw. The added pressure and tension can lead to pain and headaches that you just can't shake.
Additionally, clenching or grinding your teeth when stressed out can further exacerbate your discomfort. Identifying stress as a source of your pain is a crucial step towards finding the proper treatment and relief you need.
6. Misaligned Bite
A misaligned bite (or malocclusion) is another potential culprit for pain and tmj headaches. A misaligned bite means that your upper teeth do not fit properly with your lower teeth when you close your mouth – leading to an increased strain on your jaws which can result in tension-type headaches or migraines as well as jaw movements and jaw joint pains.
It's important to note that misalignment doesn't always have a prominent sign – for example, if all of your teeth line up, but one tooth sticks out further than it should when you close your mouth, this would still qualify as a misaligned bite!
Natural Ways on treating TMJ pain?
TMJ disorder is a pain in the jaw can be brutal to manage, but there are ways to help your body heal and reduce the annoying TMJ symptoms. Here are some natural treatment for TMJ:
Relax your jaw muscles
One of the best things you can do to ease pain and a headache caused by tmj disorder is to relax your locked jaw muscles by massaging your jaw muscles with your fingers or holding your jaw for a few minutes.
Apply ice to your jaw
Another effective treatment for TMJ to ease pain and headache caused by tmj disorder is to apply ice to your jaw to help reduce inflammation and swelling in the muscles and joints. Ice should be used for 10-15 minutes at a time, several times per day.
Use CBD oil
Alive Market's Double Strength CBD Tincture provides the relief you seek from tmj disorders. This potent formula contains 50 mg/ml of cannabinoids extracted from hemp.
CBD helps relieve pain and tension headaches by easing muscle tension and swelling caused by tmj disorders. With the double-strength CBD Oil, you can get the relief you need in just one easy step!
Avoid hard or chewy foods
Avoiding hard or chewy foods is one of the best ways to prevent pain and headaches. These foods can put extra stress on your muscles and joints, which can cause pain. If you have to eat something tough or chewy, cut it into small pieces, so it's easier to chew.
See a doctor or dentist
If you've had pain and headaches for more than a few days caused by tmj disorder, you should see a doctor or dentist to rule out any underlying medical conditions.
Additionally, they might perform a panoramic X-ray to examine your jaw and teeth, a CT scan to provide a more in-depth look, or an MRI to examine the soft tissues around your jaw.
Once they have ruled out any health problems, they can give you doctor prescribed treatments from physical therapy to over the counter medications like muscle relaxants.
How Does It Feel To Have Jaw Pain And Headache?
Constant pain in the jaw area caused by tmj disorders paired with headaches can cause immense amounts of physical, emotional, and mental distress. This chronic discomfort may manifest as soreness or stiffness in the muscles around the jaw or an aching or throbbing sensation that inhibits daily life.
Long-term effects of untreated pain and headache can include difficulty eating and speaking, the onset of anxiety or depression, facial numbness, and sleep disturbances.
Conclusion
While there are many potential causes of pain and headaches, the most likely reason is teeth grinding or clenching caused by stress, anxiety, incorrect bite alignment, or even bruxism.
If you are clenching or grinding your teeth at night, talk to your dentist about getting a mouth guard to protect your teeth. In the meantime, try to relax and de-stress as much as possible to see if that helps relieve some of the tension in your jaw.
Have you ever experienced pain or headaches? What did you do to find relief? Leave a comment below and let us know.