Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsSymptomsCausesDiagnosisTreatmentPrognosisCoping
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Symptoms
Causes
Diagnosis
Treatment
Prognosis
Coping
TMJ headache arises as pain spreads from the muscles surrounding thetemporomandibularjoint (TMJ) of the jaw to the face, cheeks, and head. It occurs due todisorders of the joint, such as misalignment of the upper and lower jaw, and other conditions and habits such as gum chewing and bruxism, grinding or clenching of your jaw. In some cases, TMJ headache can be amigraine trigger, and the two conditions are closely associated.
How TMJ headache is managed will depend on its cause. Treatment may include at-home strategies, medications, realignment of the teeth (occlusal therapy), and even surgery.Generally, TMJ headaches, though disabling, resolve either on their own or with conservative measures.
This article will focus on TMJ headache symptoms and causes, as well as the treatments and management strategies used to take care of it.
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TMJ Headache Symptoms
TMJ headache first arises as pain in the joint connecting the jaw to the skull that may travel to other parts of the face and head. Symptoms range fromtension headachetomigraine attacks. This condition is clinically defined as:
TMJ headaches are part of a broader category of temporomandibular disorders (TMDs), which are issues of the jaw and surrounding muscles and tendons. TMDs are often at the root of TMJ headaches and include:
Specifically, these issues cause inflammation—a swelling of connective fibers and tissues—in the joint, which leads to pain. This can then trigger activity of surrounding nerves, leading to a widespread headache. In addition, the disk-like bone within the joint that separates the upper and lower jaws can slide from its position, causing jaw locking or popping.
Diagnosing TMJ Headaches
The diagnosis of TMJ headache, typically made during dental checkups, involves several steps. Initial evaluation includes assessment of:
In addition, a range of imaging techniques may be used to confirm your diagnosis and give your healthcare professionals a better sense of the underlying problem. Most commonly, you’ll see the following types used:
When it comes to treating TMJ headaches, a range of approaches can help. These vary from lifestyle changes to over-the-counter (OTC) and prescription medications to surgery and other treatments. Working with a dentist—or, in some cases, a specialist called an oral maxillofacial surgeon—you will get an appropriate course of treatment tailored to your needs.
Lifestyle Modifications
Certain changes and adjustments to everyday habits can help ease or prevent TMJ headache. These include:
8 Exercises To Do for Jaw Pain from TMD and TMJ
Medications
As with all types of headaches, your caregiver may first recommend OTC pain medications, especially nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) or Tylenol acetaminophen. NSAIDs include:
Notably, if these medications aren’t yielding results, your dentist or specialist can prescribe higher-strength versions of the above, or even other pain-managing drugs, such as opioids. In addition, other prescribed classes of medications for TMJ headache are:
Medical Procedures
If medications and other approaches aren’t yielding results, a number of other treatments may be recommended. Generally reserved for difficult-to-manage cases, the most common of these are:
Dental Procedures
Since misalignment of the teeth can be a cause of TMJ headaches, some dental procedures may be called for. To correct your bite, a dentist may place a dental crown, put in a bridge, employ braces, or other means.Improving the alignment of your teeth eases the tension in the joint, reducing the prevalence of attacks or stopping them altogether.
Therapy for StressGrinding and clenching teeth can occur due to stress. Much of it is done while sleeping and unconscious. Cognitive behavioral therapy, a form of talk therapy, can be helpful.
Therapy for Stress
Grinding and clenching teeth can occur due to stress. Much of it is done while sleeping and unconscious. Cognitive behavioral therapy, a form of talk therapy, can be helpful.
Alternative Medicine
Alternative approaches may also help with TMJ headache. These include:
Surgery
Surgery for TMJ headache is a last resort. Surgery is highly successful, but it’s not appropriate for every case. Three surgical procedures considered are:
What Is Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery?
The severity of TMJ headaches can range a great deal, and much depends on what’s causing the pain. While some cases resolve on their own, others, such as those related to misalignment of the jaw, can become serious if untreated. The complications, which can affect physical and mental health, include:
More severe cases of TMJ headaches can be successfully managed with timely and proper treatment. Most people are able to manage the symptoms with lifestyle changes and at-home techniques.
Severe and difficult cases of TMJ headache can present coping challenges. Persistent pain can significantly impact mental health and can cause feelings of isolation and stigmatization.
Coping strategies include:
What Is a Support Group?
Summary
While some cases of TMJ headaches require dental realignment or even surgery, most are treated with less-invasive methods and home remedies. However, if untreated, TMJ headaches and related disorders can affect mental health, as well as that of the teeth.
A Word From Verywell
When it comes to a condition like TMJ headache, the key is timely intervention. The sooner you seek help, the sooner you’ll be able to take care of the issue. It’s all too easy to brush off headaches or to suffer in silence, but since headaches can be signs of potentially dangerous conditions, they can’t be taken lightly. If you suspect you’re experiencing TMJ or another type of headache, it’s worth being proactive about seeking out care.
8 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Abouelhuda A, Kim H, Kim S, Kim Y.Association between headache and temporomandibular disorder.J Korean Assoc Oral Maxillofac Surg. 2017;43(6):363. doi:10.5125/jkaoms.2017.43.6.363American Migraine Foundation.Temporomandibular (TMJ) disorders and headache.Cleveland Clinic.Your jaw may be to blame for your migraine headaches. Health Essentials. Published June 15, 2015.Cleveland Clinic.Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders: symptoms, treatment & prevention.Penn Medicine.8 ways to help manage temporomandibular joint disorders. Published September 18, 2020.Goldstein L, Gentile J.Medications for TMJ disorders. Practical Pain Management.Penlington C, Otemade AA, Bowes C, Taylor G, Waterhouse P, Ohrbach R.Psychological therapies for temporomandibular disorders (TMD).Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2019;2019(12):CD013515. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD013515American Psychological Association.Coping with chronic pain.
8 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Abouelhuda A, Kim H, Kim S, Kim Y.Association between headache and temporomandibular disorder.J Korean Assoc Oral Maxillofac Surg. 2017;43(6):363. doi:10.5125/jkaoms.2017.43.6.363American Migraine Foundation.Temporomandibular (TMJ) disorders and headache.Cleveland Clinic.Your jaw may be to blame for your migraine headaches. Health Essentials. Published June 15, 2015.Cleveland Clinic.Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders: symptoms, treatment & prevention.Penn Medicine.8 ways to help manage temporomandibular joint disorders. Published September 18, 2020.Goldstein L, Gentile J.Medications for TMJ disorders. Practical Pain Management.Penlington C, Otemade AA, Bowes C, Taylor G, Waterhouse P, Ohrbach R.Psychological therapies for temporomandibular disorders (TMD).Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2019;2019(12):CD013515. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD013515American Psychological Association.Coping with chronic pain.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Abouelhuda A, Kim H, Kim S, Kim Y.Association between headache and temporomandibular disorder.J Korean Assoc Oral Maxillofac Surg. 2017;43(6):363. doi:10.5125/jkaoms.2017.43.6.363American Migraine Foundation.Temporomandibular (TMJ) disorders and headache.Cleveland Clinic.Your jaw may be to blame for your migraine headaches. Health Essentials. Published June 15, 2015.Cleveland Clinic.Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders: symptoms, treatment & prevention.Penn Medicine.8 ways to help manage temporomandibular joint disorders. Published September 18, 2020.Goldstein L, Gentile J.Medications for TMJ disorders. Practical Pain Management.Penlington C, Otemade AA, Bowes C, Taylor G, Waterhouse P, Ohrbach R.Psychological therapies for temporomandibular disorders (TMD).Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2019;2019(12):CD013515. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD013515American Psychological Association.Coping with chronic pain.
Abouelhuda A, Kim H, Kim S, Kim Y.Association between headache and temporomandibular disorder.J Korean Assoc Oral Maxillofac Surg. 2017;43(6):363. doi:10.5125/jkaoms.2017.43.6.363
American Migraine Foundation.Temporomandibular (TMJ) disorders and headache.
Cleveland Clinic.Your jaw may be to blame for your migraine headaches. Health Essentials. Published June 15, 2015.
Cleveland Clinic.Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders: symptoms, treatment & prevention.
Penn Medicine.8 ways to help manage temporomandibular joint disorders. Published September 18, 2020.
Goldstein L, Gentile J.Medications for TMJ disorders. Practical Pain Management.
Penlington C, Otemade AA, Bowes C, Taylor G, Waterhouse P, Ohrbach R.Psychological therapies for temporomandibular disorders (TMD).Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2019;2019(12):CD013515. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD013515
American Psychological Association.Coping with chronic pain.
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