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When you have frequent headaches and migraines, this could be related to the balance of your smile. Strain on your jaw joints could lead to TMJ disorder, or TMD, with it, and increased risk of discomfort. In today’s blog, your Livonia, MI, dentist looks at how we stop TMJ headaches with a custom oral appliance.
TMJ Disorder and Headaches
Your temporomandibular joints connect your jaw and skull, and control the actions needed to eat and speak. When these joints become strained, this could lead to TMJ disorder. You could develop discomfort and even have trouble fully opening and closing your mouth. Factors behind the strain could include untreated bruxism (teeth grinding), misalignment, missing teeth, injury to the jaw or face, or even issues with the growth of your smile. Persistent headaches or migraines could be warning signs, along with jaw and facial pain, popping or clicking in the jaw, and aches in the neck and shoulders. Don’t ignore these warning signs, instead talk to our team about possible treatment.
Planning Your Treatment
To get started, our team will need to understand the cause and development of the disorder. Which means we will conduct a detailed examination with digital x-rays and intraoral cameras, so we can understand the underlying factors and plan treatment with detail. For some, we could correct misalignment with orthodontics to bring relief, and for others we can replace missing teeth with a prosthetic. Placing a crown or conducting a missing procedure could help boost bite balance too, easing stress on the joints. In addition, you can use a warm compress to the side of the face to ease tension, and avoid chewy or hard foods that could exacerbate symptoms. But for most, we can offer relief with an oral appliance.
Oral Appliance Therapy
An oral appliance is a device that will look and fit like a mouthguard. However, the device is also custom-fitted for your smile, designed to fit comfortably and be owner as you sleep. When in place, the device will gently reposition the jaw and ease stress on the joints, so you avoid painful symptoms during the day. If you also grind your teeth, this acts as a barrier between the upper and lower sets of teeth to prevent further damage to your smile. If you have any questions about how our team will treat TMJ headaches with a custom oral appliance, then contact our team today to learn more.
SCHEDULE YOUR TMD CONSULTATION WITH DR. STEWART, DDS!
Treatment for issues like TMJ disorder and bruxism could help protect your smile and stop discomfort. To find out more about our custom appliances or to schedule your next appointment, then give us a call at our office in Livonia, MI at (734)425-4400.