Reviewed by Dr. Jared Nabeta, General Dentist (DDS)
Temporomandibular disorders (TMD) affect millions of people, yet many sufferers never connect their jaw symptoms to their migraine headaches. At our Burlington practice, we see daily how TMD can intensify migraine activity through muscular strain and nerve irritation.
The temporomandibular joints work closely with the jaw muscles to allow chewing, speaking, and smiling. When these joints or muscles become strained, due to misalignment, clenching, stress, or trauma, they create inflammatory and muscular patterns that feed directly into pain pathways associated with migraines.
Patients with TMD often report:
- Pain when chewing
- Facial tenderness
- Popping or clicking in the jaw
- Ear fullness or ringing
- Morning headaches Because the trigeminal nerve supplies both the TMJ region and areas involved in migraine pain, dysfunction in one area can easily trigger symptoms in the other.Dentists trained in craniofacial pain can diagnose these connections through detailed examination of the bite, jaw joints, cervical posture, and muscle patterns. When these muscles relax, nerve irritation decreases, allowing the brain’s pain threshold to reset. For many patients, this leads to significant decreases in migraine frequency. If you suspect your migraines may be linked to TMD, a dental evaluation may uncover the missing link in your treatment plan.
To schedule an appointment, Call Us 905-639-6701 or online at https://www.NabetaDentistry.com/appointment-request
Treatment for migraine is offered only for migraine diagnosed by a physician, alongside the patient’s physician. Our migraine, TMD and jaw pain page explains the consultation process.