Chronic headaches, jaw pain, and morning soreness are often dismissed as stress — but they could be signs of TMD. Learn how your bite and jaw joint might be the root cause of your pain.
What Is TMD?
Temporomandibular disorder (TMD) refers to a group of conditions affecting the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) — the joint that connects your jaw to your skull. TMD can cause pain in the jaw joint, surrounding muscles, and even radiate to the head, neck, and shoulders.
Common Symptoms
TMD symptoms include jaw pain or tenderness, clicking or popping sounds when opening or closing the mouth, difficulty chewing, facial pain, earaches, and frequent headaches — especially in the morning. Many patients are surprised to learn that their chronic headaches have a dental origin.
Treatment Options
Treatment for TMD depends on the cause and severity. Options range from custom night guards to protect teeth from grinding, to physical therapy, bite adjustments, and in some cases, Botox injections to relax the jaw muscles. Most patients find significant relief with conservative treatment.
Key Takeaways
- TMD can cause headaches, jaw pain, and facial soreness
- Morning headaches are often a sign of nighttime teeth grinding
- Custom night guards are an effective first-line treatment
- Early diagnosis leads to faster, more effective relief
Dr. Bishop is a co-owner of Grandville Dental Health Center and has been practicing dentistry for over 20 years. She has advanced training in TMD diagnosis and treatment and is passionate about helping patients find relief from chronic jaw pain and headaches.