TMJ Therapy in North Dallas
Headache Relief
You may not realize that you grind your teeth at night, but if you suffer from the condition known as bruxism, you are likely to experience a host of painful side effects. Headaches and/or migraines are common in people who grind their teeth at night as a result of TMJ/TMD, temporomandibular dysfunction. Nighttime teeth grinders are also more likely to have weak or worn teeth, broken teeth, and they may eventually lose their teeth due to the repeated pressure. By treating bruxism in Dallas, Dr. Dale Greer relieves headaches and migraines and protects your smile, too. Learn more about the treatment, then schedule an appointment to seek relief from your head pain!
How TMJ Relates to Your Head
The TMJ, or the temporomandibular joint, is the small network of ligaments, bones, and nerves that allows your jaw to function smoothly. Whether caused by stress or injury, a misaligned TMJ often leads to nighttime teeth grinding and jaw clenching, which causes discomfort during the day, too. Head pain is common with TMJ/TMD (temporomandibular dysfunction); excessive tension in the jaw triggers the throbbing, aching pain in the head.
In addition to headaches and migraines, the symptoms of a problematic TMJ include…
- An aching, sore, tired jaw
- A jaw that clicks or pops
- The sensation of lockjaw
- Ear and neck pain
A number of things can cause issues in the TMJ -- everything from a blow to the face to a job that causes stress. Women are slightly more likely to experience the condition, and having arthritis greatly increases risk of developing TMJ/TMD.
Bite Therapy in Dallas for Headaches and Migraines
Because TMJ and associated teeth grinding/jaw clenching are often the cause of a misaligned or off-track bite, Dr. Greer can provide relief for your head pain with bite therapy. With a customized splint, your dentist repositions your bite to take stress off the TMJ. Plastic coverings placed over your teeth protect your delicate tooth enamel from the excessive force of clenching and grinding. Splint therapy is a noninvasive, reversible treatment for headaches and other symptoms related to TMJ/TMD.
Skip the Over-the-Counter Remedy
You can find over-the-counter solutions for your teeth grinding and jaw clenching, but we advise against these one-size-fits-all treatments. Generic teeth grinding solutions are simply not as good as what you can get from a professional treatment. That’s because without a customized fit, the mouthguard is probably not going to fit your mouth very well. At best, a poor fit prevents your continued use -- and at worst, it causes painful sore spots and actually leads to more nighttime teeth grinding and jaw clenching. For the most effective solution, partner with your dentist for customized TMJ/TMD therapy.
Schedue an Appoiment Today!
If you are living with headaches and migraines but are unsure of what is causing the problem, maybe it’s time you had your bite evaluated. You don’t have to live in chronic pain! Request an appointment with Dr. Greer to get started on a solution for your headaches with bite therapy for TMJ today.
