TMJ Specialist in Chicago, IL: TMJ Disorder & Headaches

If you’ve suffered from jaw pain, headaches, and teeth grinding, you may have TMJ disorder. TMJ disorder is a painful condition usually connected to bruxism that affects the jaw joint and causes headaches and facial pain. Our TMJ specialist in Chicago, IL, explains more about TMJ disorder, the symptoms, and how to treat it below. 

What Is TMJ Disorder?

The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is the joint that connects your upper and lower jaws. When this joint becomes dysfunctional, either by the breakdown of the cartilage, muscle spasms, or grinding of the teeth, it results in inflammation and pain. But this pain can extend past the joint itself — it can spread to the head and face by affecting the surrounding nerves and muscles, which can result in migraine headaches.

Symptoms of TMJ Disorder

In addition to headaches and facial pain, other symptoms of TMJ disorder include:

• Pain in the jaw
• Chipped or cracked teeth
• Popping or clicking in the jaw
• Difficulty opening mouth or chewing food
• Bruising or swelling around the joint

If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, contact our dentist for an evaluation. It is important to address TMJ disorder and teeth grinding before it does permanent damage.

How to Relieve TMD Headaches

To relieve the related headaches and facial pain, you have to treat the underlying disorder. This includes methods such as:

• Custom nightguards to prevent teeth grinding
• Muscle relaxant medication to relieve muscle tension and spasms
• Adjusting misalignment that may be causing bruxism (grinding)
• Reducing caffeine or medications that lead to jaw clenching

If left untreated, teeth grinding and clenching can cause damage to the cartilage as well as the teeth, as the habit grinds them down, causing weakening, cracks and chips. 

If you believe you may be suffering from headaches caused by TMJ disorder, contact our dentist for an evaluation! We can help you get pain relief and protect your dental health.

Contact Our TMJ Specialist in Chicago, IL, To Find Out More Today!

The information provided in this article is not meant to be medical advice and is for educational purposes only. If you would like to learn more about this and other topics related to dentistry, feel free to contact Dente Complete Dentistry, with a convenient dental office in Chicago, IL, by calling 773.295.0562 or by clicking here.