Do you suffer from frequent headaches and are looking for a diagnosis? You may have a temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder or bite problem. TMJ disorder is one of the dental concerns that Bella Smiles treats in Long Island, NY. Stress and tension in the jaw as a result of an imbalance in the bite often lead to recurring headaches. In most patients, these headaches are most noticeable in the morning.
Bella Smiles is your premier dentist office with locations in Riverhead, Roslyn, and Nesconset, NY. We offer TMJ treatment options that can relieve your pain and restore a healthy bite. Properly identifying the underlying cause of your painful symptoms is the key to a lasting treatment plan.
Our dental care team will evaluate all aspects of your oral health, including the function of the jaw joint. Then our dentist will perform a complete bite analysis to determine if your headaches are from a TMJ disorder.
Teeth Grinding and Headaches
In many cases, teeth grinding and jaw clenching can create muscle tension in the jaw. You can develop frequent headaches when you constantly grind your teeth. Other related concerns may include ear pain, neck stiffness, and jaw pain.
You can also develop bruxism, or teeth grinding from daily stress, muscle tension, or a bite imbalance. Grinding puts excessive force and pressure on the jaw muscles, which can also cause headaches. The constant clenching and grinding can cause muscle fatigue and tension in the jaw area. Over time, it can radiate pain to other parts of your head.
Teeth grinding can also lead to a TMJ disorder. TMJ disorder affects the joint that connects your jawbone to your skull. The joint can cause pain in the jaw joint itself, as well as headaches.
We’ll work with you to identify the lifestyle habits or dental concerns that are causing you to grind your teeth. Some common dental concerns that contribute to headaches can include malocclusion, damaged teeth, and missing teeth. All these issues can affect your bite function.
Treatment for TMJ Headaches
TMJ headaches can be very painful and make daily life harder for those who have them. They usually happen when the jaw joint is out of alignment or not working properly, which causes pain and discomfort in the head and face.
Dr. Lotardo, Dr. Pop, and Dr. Caesar can recommend treatment options to relieve headaches and other painful symptoms. Our dentists can restore your dental health and a natural and functional bite. Treatment options may include oral appliances, restorative dentistry, orthodontics, and more.
Night Guard or Dental Splint
We offer custom dental appliances, such as a night guard or splint, to reposition your jaw and treat teeth grinding. We’ll take impressions of your upper or lower teeth in our office to create your TMJ night guard. We send these impressions to a local lab. After a couple weeks, you’ll return to receive a custom guard.
You can wear your oral appliance during sleep or during high-stress times. Our oral appliances can reduce teeth grinding during sleep and protect the teeth. Night guards consist of a thick rubber-like compound that protects the teeth and reduces tension on the jaw.
Restorative Dentistry
We offer several restorative treatments to treat your TMJ headaches. Our dentists can also provide restorative dental services to fix the damage that TMJ causes to your teeth. For example, we can repair worn-down, cracked, and broken teeth with the same treatments.
Our team can offer dental crowns, tooth bonding, or other procedures that can reduce jaw strain. These treatments adjust the way your teeth make contact and create a healthier bite. If you have overcrowded teeth or structural issues, we’ll refer you to an oral surgeon.
Orthodontics
We may recommend orthodontics for some patients with TMJ headaches. We may recommend Invisalign to reposition your teeth and realign the bite. Clear aligners are a great treatment to discreetly pull teeth into proper alignment. We can balance your bite and correct misaligned teeth. A balanced bite can reduce the strain and stress that teeth grinding places on the jaw joint.
Orthodontic treatment can also improve the muscular balance and mechanics of the jaw to reduce muscle pain and headaches. Braces and aligners can also help by creating a more balanced bite.
Conservative Management
Lifestyle changes, self-care techniques, and non-invasive therapies are also very common for treating chronic headaches. You can follow these lifestyle changes:
- Avoid hard or chewy foods that can put strain on your jaw joint.
- Practice stress reduction techniques to minimize teeth clenching or grinding.
- Maintain good posture to reduce strain on your neck and jaw muscles.
Self-care methods like using a warm compress or an ice pack on the sore area can bring temporary relief. We recommend using ice if you have a new injury, while heat is best to relax the facial muscles. Gentle stretching exercises for the jaw can also improve flexibility and help release tension.
We may also recommend non-invasive treatments like physical therapy or chiropractic care. These therapies work to improve joint movement, ease muscle tension, and correct posture problems that may cause TMJ issues. Your PT or chiropractor can help you gently exercise your upper body or release stress in your face, shoulders, neck, and upper back.
Request a TMJ Disorder Evaluation Today
If you have TMJ headaches, you should consult with our dentist specializing in temporomandibular disorders (TMD). We’re here to provide an accurate diagnosis and personalized treatment plan.
If you suffer from headaches and suspect it could be from a TMJ disorder, schedule an appointment today with one of our expert dentists. We offer both diagnosis and treatment for headaches that are from TMJ issues or teeth grinding.
Our dentist will do a full exam of your mouth, teeth, and jaw. Then we’ll find the best treatment and help you find relief. We’re accepting new patients from many Long Island communities, with offices in Riverhead, Roslyn, and Nesconset, NY.
Call Dr. Lotardo in Nesconset at (631) 228-8780, Riverhead at (631) 574-3898 and our Roslyn dental office at (516) 217-6668.