Have you ever had one of those days where your jaw pain got so bad that it triggered the onset of the worst headache of your entire life? If so, you know just how awful the pain can be, especially if you suffer from TMJ disorder. While jaw pain and headache might not seem to be related to one another, they are actually closely connected. To learn what this link between them holds, make sure to keep reading this blog.
Are Jaw Pain and Headache Related?
Usually, jaw pain and headaches are caused by one or the other. However, in most cases, both these symptoms are triggered by temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder. TMJ is a condition that affects your jaw joint, which ultimately limits the movement of your mouth and instead gives way to numerous other issues. So, even if TMJ disorder takes root in your jaw, it can lead to pain in the eyes, the nose, as well as the head, connecting them all.
Why Do I Get a Headache Everytime My Jaw Hurts?
Severe TMJ disorder can cause tension headaches, leaving you in unbearable pain. This happens because the muscles connected to your jaw are located in your cheeks, and when they become tensed or stressed, it triggers an alternative reaction. That is why people often report feeling like their cheeks are contracting or twitching from the discomfort in their jaw.
However, your facial muscles are all connected to each other in intricate ways. If jaw pain is triggered, the pain can travel all over until it ultimately reaches your temples, putting excessive stress on the sensitive area. At times, it can also lead to migraine attacks, which worsen your condition all over. Seeking proper treatment for your jaw is the only way to combat the pain.
What Causes TMJ Disorder?
There isn’t just one cause behind TMJ dysfunction, but rather multiple factors that set it off. Mentioned below are some of the most common reasons behind a temporomandibular joint disorder.
- A jaw injury, such as a broken or displaced jaw joint.
- A habit of grinding or clenching your teeth.
- Poorly aligned bite (malocclusion)
- Underlying stress or anxiety
- Jaw arthritis
- The cartilage inside the jaw joint has worn off
- Jaw disc displacement
Final Takeaway
All in all, jaw pain and headache are linked to one another because of TMJ disorder. Due to the displaced jaw joint, the pain rarely sits in the jaw but rather advances to other areas of the face, commonly the eyes, cheeks, and temples.
Nevertheless, for more information on jaw pain and TMJ, feel free to reach out to a specialist by contacting Signature Smiles at either of the following locations:
- Irving Location: 3654 N Belt Line Rd, Irving, TX 75062, United States
Contact Number: (214) 307-4715 - Plano Location: 5072 W Plano Pkwy Suite 270, Plano, TX 75093, United States
Contact Number: (214) 307-4755 - DeSoto Location: 726 N Hampton Rd, DeSoto, TX 75115, United States
Contact Number: (469) 643-4155