As a non-specific symptom, having headaches can mean various things. Their triggers, duration, and severity can vary wildly. But in some cases, a debilitating headache may be an indication there is something wrong with your teeth, bite, or jaw alignment. If this is the case, there’s a good chance you may be suffering from TMJ (temporomandibular joint) disorder.
What makes a headache a TMJ headache? Here are the classic signs:
- There’s a clicking or popping sound when you open your jaw. A clicking noise is an indication of misalignment, particularly in the lower jaw.
- There’s something off with your bite. As the only joint in the body that has to perfectly align when opening and closing because of the teeth within it, it’s normal for your bite to misalign when there’s something wrong with your temporomandibular joint.
- You snore often. Snoring is a warning sign that you’re not sleeping as soundly as you should, and a misaligned lower jaw can be one of the causes of snoring. If your lower jaw is too far back, it’s likely your tongue is in the same position, which can trigger snoring.
- Your TMJ headache is accompanied by pain at the back of the neck, temples, and the back of your head.
- You have FHP (forward head posture). Many TMJ disorder sufferers have poor posture and FHP is the most common. FHP can be the body’s response to a bad bite.
If you’re currently seeking relief from a TMJ headache and its corresponding symptoms, seeing various health care providers rather than relying on a single medical opinion is encouraged. A dental professional is one of the health care providers who can help you explore the different treatment options for TMJ. Call us to schedule an appointment.
