TMD/TMJ Headaches vs. Actual Migraines
Where Your Smile Begins
Calgary, Alberta
Temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ) commonly causes headaches, and these headaches are often misdiagnosed as migraines. The misdiagnosis can set off a long series of inappropriate and failed treatments. Many doctors do not associated headaches with dental issues such as TMD/TMJ. A neuromuscular dentist, such as Dr. Steven Cload, can diagnose and treat TMJ, finally giving you relief from headaches and other painful symptoms.
How TMJ Headaches are Easily Confused with Migraines
TMJ headaches and migraines can share many symptoms including:
Frequent occurrences
- Severity of pain
- Duration of pain
- Accompanied by nausea
Migraines themselves are not well understood, and it is believed that changes in the trigeminal nerve may be a cause. The trigeminal nerve is definitely involved in TMJ headaches because of its relationship to the temporomandibular joint. While medical doctors may be able to provide temporary relief with pain medications, a highly trained neuromuscular dentist is able to treat what is causing the pain, providing long-term relief after years, if not decades, of suffering. What a relief!
The Cycle of Misdiagnosis
When TMJ headaches are misdiagnosed as migraines, your doctor may prescribe medications aimed at preventing migraine headaches and/or pain medications. Several different types of drugs have been tried to prevent migraines including:
- Beta blockers
- Antidepressants
- Anti-seizure drugs
All of these medications can have dangerous side effects. Pain medications may be effective at first, but over time you will need to take more, and eventually it may not help at all. Of course, pain medications can be debilitating in themselves. Long term use of some pain medications can cause liver damage and can lead to dependence on the drug and physical addiction. Pain medications do nothing to treat the cause of the pain.
TMJ Headaches and Treatment
It is said that migraines cannot be cured, only managed. The good news is that TMJ headaches, on the other hand, can be successfully cured by treating the underlying problem. TMJ is a problem involving the jaw joint and results from a misaligned bite. Over time, this causes constant tension in the jaw muscles. It affects the nerves in the jaw and head, and it can cause damage inside of the joint, along with many other problems.
TMJ can be treated by a neuromuscular dentist. The correct positioning of your jaw must be determined. From there Dr. Cload will design a TMD/TMJ treatment plan that involves realigning your bite and making the results permanent.
If you suffer from headaches that have been diagnosed as migraines, in Calgary, Alberta, please contact Calgary, Alberta area neuromuscular dentist, Dr. Steven Cload, to schedule your consultation today.
