February 5, 2026

What To Do During A Headache Caused By A TMJ Disorder

Understanding the source of your pain is essential when trying to manage a headache. The treatment for a migraine episode triggered by your coworker’s cinnamon bagel will differ from that for a tension-type headache brought on by too much screen time. The temporomandibular joints (TMJs), which cause headaches associated to TMJ disorders (TMD), must be treated (TMJs). The frequency and severity of headaches were shown to be reduced by treating the TMJ condition, according to a 2016 study published in the Journal of Oral Science.

Comparing Headache Disorders and TMJ Pain

There are countless different kinds of headaches. Face and jaw discomfort and sensitivity in the head or neck are common symptoms of headaches caused by TMJ. Dizziness, dull discomfort or throbbing pain, sensitivity to light and sound, and visual problems are possible symptoms. A TMJ headache can affect one or both sides of your head, and jaw movement, particularly teeth clenching, frequently makes it worse. These types of headaches TMJ could appear after you’ve grinned, laughed, chewed something, or just been chatting.

It’s crucial to keep in mind that you could suffer from both a TMJ dysfunction and a different headache condition, such as migraine or a form of trigeminal autonomic cephalalgia. The symptoms of a TMJ-related headache and trigeminal neuralgia are similar. If you grind your teeth, clench your jaw, or suffer jaw cracking, locking, or clicking, your TMJ may be the cause of your headaches.

How to Identify TMJ Headaches?

Doctors, dentists, and physiotherapists can all identify the symptoms of TMJ headache. Your jaw’s range of motion, the region around it, and whether you have pain or tenderness in any particular facial regions may all be examined. They might also perform a panoramic X-ray to evaluate your jaw and teeth, a CT scan to provide a more comprehensive look, or an MRI to evaluate the soft tissues around your jaw.

What Causes a TMJ Headache?

While it’s not known what are the causes of TMJ headaches, it could be something as simple as frequent teeth grinding. One in ten persons has reported experiencing TMJ pain, and TMD has been identified in close to 50% of Americans.

Your jaw and cheeks are surrounded by TMJ muscles, which may produce pain, including headaches. When your jaw muscles get stiff, as when you grind your teeth, a headache can result. The discomfort may also migrate to other TMJ muscles next to your cheekbones, on the sides of your head, and on top of your head.

TMJ Headache Symptoms

There are many distinct types of headaches, but TMJ headaches frequently accompany additional symptoms. These may include:

Rigid face or jaw muscles
Facial or jaw pain a “clicking” sound in the jaw restricted jaw movement changes to your bite (that is, the way your top and bottom teeth fit together)
TMJ headaches can also feel like tension headaches and frequently return to one or more areas of the head and face.

How Are Headaches Caused by TMJ Treated?

To develop a safe and effective treatment strategy for numerous TMJ problems, including TMJ headaches, further research is required, we offer TMJ treatment Naperville, and we’ll conservative treatments. You can do several treatments very easily.

Changes in lifestyle Small behavioral adjustments that affect your jaw may be beneficial, such as:

Avoiding chewy or hard foods
Lowering anxiety to avoid coping mechanisms like jaw clenching
Avoid making jaw motions like those made when yawning widely or chewing gum.

Remedies Recommended by Doctors

Make an appointment with our doctor for TMJ headache treatment Naperville if lifestyle modifications and over-the-counter drugs do not relieve your symptoms. They might be able to recommend harsher drugs. If you don’t currently have a doctor, we offer TMJ pain treatment Illinois book an appointment with us.

Discuss alternative choices with our doctor if non-invasive, conservative treatments treatment for TMJ headache are ineffective. They might wish to recommend a stabilizing splint or another stronger medication to ease the TMJ pain in head (bite guard). A stabilizing splint may also be provided by our dentist.

Despite being painful, TMJ head pain can be addressed with a number of different methods. Talk to your doctor about your symptoms and any remedies you’ve already tried, even if they weren’t successful if you suspect you might be suffering from TMJ headaches.

If your TMJ is the culprit, root-cause therapies can help reduce headache discomfort and give you the information you need to take preventative measures against headaches in the future.

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February 5, 2026

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At Suburban TMJ & Sleep Center, care is a team effort. From the moment you walk through our doors, you’ll be welcomed by a knowledgeable and friendly staff who are committed to making your experience as comfortable as possible.