What Do TMJ Headaches Feel Like?

They definitely can be, yes. Headaches are really common in people, but most people don’t know how commonly headaches are caused by a TMJ disorder. In fact, over 35 million Americans have a TMJ disorder, but so many of them attribute their symptoms to a busy, stressful life, so they never learn that they have a TMJ disorder.

If you have headaches regularly, then pay attention to your other symptoms too, as they may hint at a TMJ disorder. Some of the other common symptoms of a TMJ disorder can be

– Problems with talking and chewing
– Pain, popping, and/or clicking in the jaw
– Pain, ringing, or congestion in the ears
– Pain behind the eyes
– Locking of the jaw joint
– Sensitivity in the teeth to heat or cold
– Pain in and around the face
– Difficulty swallowing or sore throat
– Lacking mobility or having stiffness in the neck

If you have some of the problems above, you may want to see a professional and ask about whether you may have a TMJ disorder.

One of the main symptoms of a TMJ disorder is headaches that tend to be frequent. These headaches may feel like any other headache or like a tension headache, but they tend to occur and recur in one or more regions of the head and/or face. You may also feel facial tightness/pain or jaw tightness/pain/clicking. You might also experience a change in your bite. If any of that describes the headaches you’ve been having, then you really should see a professional about it.

In addition to the frequent headaches, TMJ disorders can also cause discomfort around the ear area, with some people reporting earaches or a feeling of fullness in the ears. This pain may worsen with jaw movements like chewing, yawning, or speaking. The headache pain often radiates from the jaw or temples and can be felt in areas like the forehead, behind the eyes, or even the neck. It’s important to note that TMJ headaches can vary in intensity, from mild discomfort to severe pain that affects daily activities.

Some lifestyle changes can help in some minor cases, but because the underlying issue is an actual disorder, it’s often necessary to seek professional treatment. Here at Koala® Center For Sleep & TMJ Disorders, we can teach you TMJ massages, stretches, and other exercises that relieve TMJ tension and stress. In doing so, symptoms are relieved significantly, and everyday pain can be relieved too. However, these exercises may not be adequate in relieving your symptoms, so another method of treatment may be necessary.

At Koala® Center For Sleep & TMJ Disorders, we use oral appliance therapy, which can be especially effective at treating TMJ disorders and thus relieving symptoms like TMJ headaches. Oral appliance therapy is actually proven to treat TMJ disorders, and quite often patients will get immediate relief. In fact, our patients experience an average of a 50% improvement of jaw pain and headaches within the first week of treatment, and within three months, they’re 90% symptom-free!

TMJ headaches are often characterized by a dull, aching pain around the temples, jaw, or even the neck. The pain typically worsens with jaw movement, such as chewing or speaking. You may also experience a sensation of tightness or tension in your jaw muscles. TMJ headaches can be accompanied by clicking or popping sounds when you open or close your mouth, as well as difficulty fully opening your jaw.

Unlike migraines, TMJ headaches are usually linked to jaw problems, such as teeth grinding, jaw clenching, or misalignment of the jaw joints. The pain may start in the jaw and radiate up into the head, leading to discomfort around the temples, forehead, or behind the eyes.

If you’re suffering from TMJ headaches, it’s essential to seek treatment to address the root cause. At Koala Center for Sleep Disorders, our team of experts specializes in diagnosing and treating TMJ disorders. We’d be very happy to tell you more about oral appliance therapy and our exercises for treating TMJ disorder and TMJ headaches. For more information, please contact us today or request an appointment online. We have convenient locations in Bloomington IL, Peoria/Dunlap IL, El Paso TX, and Wausau WI.