Santa Cruz, Scotts Valley CA
Migraines affect millions of people a year, and unfortunately, they can seem nearly impossible to treat. Medications might manage migraine symptoms, but do nothing to affect how often migraine headaches reoccur. Unfortunately, putting a Band-Aid over the problem by taking medication is not the best approach, especially when migraines are known to affect one’s ability to work and function daily. If you’ve been living with migraines without finding lasting relief, your dentist could help find the cause of your headaches.
Temporomandibular joint disorder and migraines
The trigeminal nerve runs from the spinal column, around the skull and through the jaw joints. This is one of the most important neural pathways in the body and it often becomes impacted if someone develops temporomandibular joint disorder. Also known as TMJ disorder or TMD, this ailment can impact the surrounding nerves. If the trigeminal nerve becomes irritated, inflamed or experiences a restriction in blood flow, this can send impulses of pain to the brain that trigger headaches.
What causes TMJ disorder?
An uneven bite, missing teeth, crooked teeth, teeth clenching (also known as bruxism) and arthritis all may contribute to TMJ disorder. In some cases, you may not even know that you have TMJ disorder because even the most seemingly insignificant bite imbalance is enough to aggravate the jaw joint and the trigeminal nerve. The longer TMJ disorder is left untreated, the pain may spread from chronic headaches to neck pain, back pain, and even numbness in the arms and hands.
How is TMJ diagnosed?
A neuromuscular dentist is the ideal medical professional to see if you suspect that you have TMJ disorder. At Ebrahimian Integrative Dentistry, we gather diagnostic information that shows us the precise alignment of your bite, and we conduct a thorough examination of your bite and how your teeth come together. If you receive an official diagnosis of TMJ disorder, we can discuss non-invasive treatment that does not require surgery.
How can I tell if I have TMJ disorder?
Pay attention to the signs and symptoms of TMJ disorder, which include:
- Dental pain
- Toothaches
- Frequent headaches
- Clicking or popping sounds when opening or closing your mouth
- Lockjaw
- Pain when opening your mouth
- Inability to open your mouth wide
- Discomfort or pain when eating
These symptoms may indicate that you have TMJ disorder, or, at the very least, you should be screened by a trained and experienced neuromuscular dentist. Only an evaluation from an expert like Dr. Max or Dr. Ariana at Ebrahimian Integrative Dentistry will let you know for certain if you have TMJ disorder. And, if you’re suffering from migraines and TMJ disorder is the cause, we can resolve your migraines by treating the root issue that causes your painful headaches.
TMJ Diagnosis and Treatment in Scotts Valley, Los Gatos, and Santa Cruz, California
You don’t have to live with the debilitating pain of migraines. A screening for TMJ disorder could be your ticket for lasting relief. If you want to schedule an evaluation with one of our neuromuscular dentists, schedule a consultation with Ebrahimian Integrative Dentistry by calling (831) 438-4411 today.
