TMJ Migraines West Kelowna

Can TMJ / TMD cause migraines?

Reports have shown that the impact of migraines is a major imposition in an individual’s productivity and lifestyle. If you suffer, you may take significant time away from work, it could hinder your job performance when you are there, it can place restrictions on your daily activities and they disrupt relationships.

In the States alone, it’s been estimated that migraines account for $27 million in annual lost working days. Fortunately, researchers have uncovered and revealed much more about migraines, what causes them and how to manage them.

Migraines vary a great deal in degree and in symptom among sufferers. The severity of the symptoms can range from moderate to excruciating. One particular study found that approximately one-third of migraine sufferers routinely cancel social or family activities. Additionally, over one-half say their headaches affect their relationships with family members. Some are bothered by nausea while others experience dizziness and others still have no symptoms apart from head pain.

TMJ disorders have been identified as a significant cause of migraines and headaches.

tmj migraines kelowna

Can a misaligned bite cause migraines?

When your upper and lower teeth do not line up properly (also called a misaligned bite or malocclusion), it will cause strain on your TMJ joint. The muscles around will try to compensate which will can cause severe migraines and headaches.

Here’s what is happening: When the muscles in your jaw tense up — like when you grind your teeth — the pain can spread to other TMJ muscles alongside your cheeks and on the sides and top of your head, causing a migraine or headache.

tmj migraine dentist kelowna

What patients say about Kelowna Holistic Dentist Dr. Shauna Palmer

[These are actual Google Reviews]

kelowna tmj migraines treatment

How do you get rid of TMJ migraines and headaches?

When you suffer from TMJ migraines or headaches, please discuss your symptoms with your doctor and/or dentist. He or she will check your:

jaw movement when opening and closing your mouth
range of jaw motion
areas around your jaw(s) to identify where the pain comes from

Though the title “TMJ or physiologically based dentist” is not applicable to any dentist, (there is no official certification for this area of treatment) West Kelowna Dentist Dr. Shauna Palmer has become quite experienced with treating patients who suffer from TMJ migraines and headaches.

By carefully examining and monitoring your bite, specific modifications can be applied to realign the teeth, your overall bite, and jaw movement, which can relax the affected muscles that cause TMJ migraines and headaches.

Contact our office to learn more about TMJ Migraine & Headache Treatment or make an appointment today.

tmj headaches kelowna

Why choose Dr. Shauna Palmer?

Switch to a holistic approach

End Holistic Dentistry confusion
Don’t continue unhealthy dentistry
Avoid putting toxic chemicals into your body
Stop treating symptoms only, treat the causes
Forget about a one size fits all approach to dentistry

Live healthier, happier and longer

Take control over what goes into your mouth and body
Strive for the oral health you’ve always wanted
Find clarity about healthy, natural, holistic dentistry
Enjoy feeling better about yourself
Choose a healthier life!

Make an appointment today!

Health & Beauty Dentistry

TMJ Causes

There are a few causes of TMJ migraines and headaches. One of the most common is a jaw or bite imbalance. Other common causes are injuries such as a fracture or dislocation or a medical condition such as rheumatoid arthritis.

However, there can be other “triggers” outside of the cause which can exacerbate headaches or migraines. The triggers can be things like stress, whether it is physical, emotional, dietary, chemical or hormonal, as examples. The pain of TMJ headaches or migraines is typically from the jaw muscles that are under strain from the jaw imbalance.

TMJ Dysfunction Treatment

In order to treat the symptoms of TMJ, headaches and migraines as only a few of many potential symptoms, the jaw must be balanced and the muscles allowed to relax and heal. A physiologic dentist can have day and night oral appliances fabricated in positions that maintain relaxed muscles and allow healing.

Other important things to help with healing are good nutrition, certain dietary supplements, initially a softer diet, adjunctive therapies such as ultrasound or laser treatment, massage therapy, physiotherapy, trigger point injections, relaxation techniques and others.

TMJ Disorder Prevention

Prevention should start young; during a child’s infancy. In order to develop the jaws properly we need 3 key things:

Nasal breathing

Lip seal

Proper tongue function

To achieve these things, babies ideally should be breastfed and checked for tongue and/or lip ties. IF any impediments to feeding, these tissues should be released as soon as possible. If bottles or soothers are used, they should be from “Nuk“, a brand that allows more ideal tongue function. Nasal breathing should be day and night with lips closed.

It is highly recommended to watch children during the day and at night to see if their mouths are closed and that they are not snoring (other than with the occasional cold). If there is nasal congestion or snoring, check for enlarged tonsils and allergies. The most common allergies to food are dairy, gluten and sugar. Allergies should be addressed early in life and tonsils (and often adenoids) that are chronically enlarged should be removed to open the airway if the allergen can not be determined or reduced. Chronic airway obstruction can lead not only to problems in jaw development but problems with cognitive development as well as obstructive sleep apnea.

In conclusion:
TMJ is a condition that can cause serious pain and discomfort in the jaw, face, and head, as well as difficulties with speaking, eating and opening the mouth. A TMJ pain care provider like Dr. Palmer might be able to help you diagnose and treat your TMJ dysfunction. Dr. Palmer has treated many people who suffer from TMJ Disorder successfully, but please be aware that there are no guarantees with any medical treatment. Every case is different, due to your unique medical condition.

West Kelowna Dentist Dr. Shauna Palmer at Health & Beauty Dentistry:

“If you are experiencing symptoms of TMJ such as headaches, we will do everything possible to help determine the cause of your headaches and recommend an appropriate treatment plan to manage your pain and improve your overall quality of life. Don’t wait. Waiting for treatment usually makes things worse, causing more pain which makes your life miserable. Please don’t do that to yourself.”