Jaw and Headache Treatment

Where do Jaw Pain and Headaches Come From?

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Jaw pain and persistent headaches may be the result of severe toothaches or other dental problems. In these cases, treating the dental problems will solve the head and jaw pain as well. However, if the pain persists after the treatment of the problem with teeth or gums – then it is best to consider having your jaw joint checked to see if this is where the root cause is located.

Do you have jaw pain that won’t go away? It is difficult for you to open your mouth widely? You may have a problem with your jaw joint. Please call us now at NKRD to set an appointment, so we can determine the best treatment for your jaw pain problem

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TMJ (Temporomandibular Joint) Problems

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The temporomandibular joint (or TMJ) is the joint where your lower jaw meets your skull. TMJ problems can cause pain in the jaw and head areas, and will need to be treated accordingly to prevent further worsening and to provide long-lasting pain relief.

The most common symptoms of TMJ problems include:

• Pain in the jaw, neck, around the ears and cheeks

• Facial pain

• Persistent headaches

• Uncontrollable teeth grinding

• A clicking or popping sound in the jaw area when you open your mouth

• Limited jaw opening movement

• Difficulty in opening the mouth wide

• Jaw locking

• Jaw that moves slightly to one side when the mouth is opened

• Improper bite (your teeth do not come together correctly when you close your mouth)

It is important to correctly determine the cause of your jaw pain so it can be treated accordingly. The right treatment will solve your aching jaw problem, letting you enjoy life without pain and discomfort

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What Causes Jaw Pain?

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Dental Problems – Pain in the jaw and headaches can be triggered by decayed teeth, damaged dental fillings or dental crowns, or heavily worn teeth.

Gum Disease – Infected gums can cause the jaw to become painful. If left untreated, this problem can spread to the underlying bone tissue and cause tooth loss.

TMJ Disorder – A problem with the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) can cause severe and persistent pain in the jaw. A TMJ disorder can be caused by bruxism (teeth grinding), stress, and improper teeth alignment.

Jaw Misalignment – The jaw can be misaligned because of trauma or an injury, especially if the jaw joint is dislocated. The improper alignment can also be the result of the abnormal position of a thin disc located inside the jaw joint, which is called the articular disc.

Medical Conditions – Infections, neuralgia, and rheumatoid arthritis are some of the medical conditions that can result to a painful jaw area. Treatments for these specific conditions will ease the pain in the jaw area.

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Treatments for Jaw Pain

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Relaxation Exercises and Stress Management– If stress is the cause of your aching jaw, relaxation exercises will help you ease the tension so you will not resort to grinding your teeth together (either consciously or unconsciously). Stress management includes counseling, taking medications to help manage stress, and joining support groups.

Medications – Anti-inflammatory medications, pain relievers, and muscle relaxants can help reduce or eliminate the pain from an aching jaw can be prescribed by our dentists.

Orthodontics – An improper bite can be corrected by an orthodontist, which moves the teeth into better alignment so the teeth come together correctly.

Occlusal Therapy – Occlusal therapy aims to evenly distribute the forces exerted by healthy occlusion (bite). This jaw pain treatment involves the use of a custom-made mouth guard worn over the teeth to control teeth grinding; it can be word during the nighttime, and also during the daytime.

Surgical Treatment – Surgery is considered to be the last resort, when no other treatment can address the problem of TMJ disorders or jaw pain. Some of these surgical procedures include ligament tightening, and jaw joint restructuring.