Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) Disorders and Headaches

Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders and headaches are a common pairing. Head pain arising from TMJ disorders is another source of secondary headache and can be life altering. Treatments for TMJ disorders can differ from treatments for other headaches, so distinguishing headaches due to TMJ disorders from other headaches can be quite useful.

What Are Temporomandibular Joint Disorders?

Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders are conditions that cause pain in the temporomandibular joint, limitations in jaw function, or clicking in the joint. They fall into one of two categories: problems with the joint itself, or problems with the muscles surrounding the joint. Examples of joint issues include arthritis, TMJ dislocation, and inflammation. Muscle problems may include muscle spasm, inflammation, or muscle pain. In either case, headache is a common symptoms for any of the TMJ disorders.

Other Symptoms of TMJ Disorders

While headache is a common symptoms of TMJ disorders, it is not the only symptoms. If you have headache plus any of the following symptoms, you may have more than a simple headache.

• Difficulty or pain when chewing or biting
• Clicking or popping of the TMJ when opening or closing the mouth
• Pain in the face
• Earache
• Jaw pain
• Difficulty opening or closing the mouth

Take note of any symptoms you may be experiencing along with your headache and then organize the symptoms so you can share them with your health care provider. Hopefully this will help him or her determine if you have a "normal" headache or possibly a TMJ disorder.

Treating TMJ Disorders

Most of the time, problems with the TMJ resolve without any treatment, but on occasion symptoms need to be addressed. There are a variety of treatments available for TMJ disorders. Tylenol or one of the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications, like ibuprofen, can be used to effectively treat headaches or other pain associated with TMJ disorders. Your doctor also may recommend other medications or even joint or muscle injections. In some cases you may need a specialist to address the underlying causes of your TMJ disorder.

_Sources

_{Buescher JJ. Temporomandibular joint disorders. Am Fam Physician. 2007 Nov 15;76(10):1477-82.}

_{"TMJ disorders." From the U.S. National Library of Medicine and the National Institutes of Health website. Accessed February 3, 2010. http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/001227.htm}