Jaw Disorders Create Headaches, Vertigo, and Tooth Pain

When we are in severe pain, we just want the pain gone---that is why pain medication is so tempting. We say, just end the pain so I can get on with my real life. Every day we see professional athletes play through the pain. We accept that value, work through the pain, for ourselves and push on with our daily work ignoring pain.

What we forget is that pain is a symptom. Pain causes the body to automatically create compensation patterns---muscles tighten up in an effort to relieve the aggravated, painful nerves, or injured muscles.

During the 1950’s I saw my mother suffer daily with headaches; her only answer was Aspirin to lessen inflammation. I believe her daily headaches could have been improved or eliminated if she had found a way to deal with the cause of her pain. One cause of headache pain that often goes unrecognized is jaw disorders and misalignment.

The lower jaw (mandibular jaw) joint connects with the skull in front of the ear. These joints, one either side of the face, are called Temporomandibular Joints (known as TMJ). The TMJs work in unison to permit movement of the lower jawbone. You can feel the TMJ move by placing your fingers on the bones in front of the ear during mouth movements.

The painful jaw disorders, often called TMJ (after the misaligned joint), should more correctly be called TMD (Temporomandibular Disorder.) Those with TMD pain often seek initial help from a general medical practitioner, or general dentist.

Common Symptoms of Bruxism (jaw clenching and teeth grinding)---a common cause of TMD

Teeth worn down

Chipped teeth

Sensitive teeth

Receding gums

Loose teeth

Headache and neck pain

Common Symptoms of TMD:

• Headache-typically happens on the forehead region, temple region and in the back of the head, (is an easy symptom to confuse with other condition like migraine)
• Neck And Shoulder Pain-the regular function of  TMJs is related with the balance of jaw and skull, (discomfort of TMJ causes imbalance problems that will twist the jaw into a straitened position this refers pain to the neck muscle, shoulders and back--Since muscles work as a team, contacted muscles of the jaw will make the head lean in not a normal position causing compensation from the back, shoulder and neck muscles.)
• Facial Pain- an imbalanced lower jaw lower jaw causes all of the surrounding tissue like bones, muscles, nerves and face muscles to contraction and strain when trying to compensate the unaligned jaw.
• Ear Problems- There is a variety of symptoms in the ear that may appear, ringing ears or tinnitus. (TMD is often confused for ear infection usually experienced ear pain in the morning; pain around in front or below the ear; the ear may feel clogged, muffled or full ears; Eustachian-tube dysfunction responsible for regulating the pressure in the middle ear; hyperactivity of the muscles cause problems when opening or closing the Eustachian tube; other symptoms include loss of hearing, impaired hearing, dizziness (vertigo) and loss of balance)
• Clicking, Popping, or Grinding sounds- result from a dislocated disc—for many people with TMD that feel pain when the disc dislocates, the pain makes it difficult to speak or eat.
• Locked Jaw- If symptoms are left untreated over time they can create a locked jaw in either an open or locked position, causing great pain. A dentist can help close your mouth with an easy maneuver, or will prescribe pills to end the muscle spasms.
• Sensitive and Sore Teeth- are a common symptom of TMD, especially if misalignment of the teeth is causing TMD as in the case of clenching or grinding of teeth due to stress. (TMD is difficult to diagnose and the dentist can perform a root canal therapy or even extraction on your teeth, which aggravates the situation).
• Jaw pain-TMD creates an imbalanced bite causing improper pressure in the jawbone. Over time pressure may dissolve the bone, or create bony projection as compensation. This may bring pain relief but may cause permanent damage to the jaw and the facial structure. 

•  Abnormal alignment of teeth or incongruous restorations. When teeth are abnormally aligned the jaw doesn’t close correctly causing the teeth to slide until finding the best positions so the chewing muscles can relax. If the misalignment is serious the jaw never finds the right position and muscles stay contracted all day long and over time creates TMJ pain.
•   Physiological growth. For children under 6 years old bruxism is a normal developmental and natural response to the changes in the jaws and teeth. (If this behavior persists longer than needed [after most adult teeth have emerge] it is an unhealthy habit and it is recommended the adolescent visit the dentist).
•  Abnormal posture of the body--Leads to an abnormal position of the spinal column and tension and contraction of the neck muscles. The stressed neck muscles create imbalance of the jaw and as well as TMJ muscle clenching, or teeth grinding.
•  Sleep disorders—Research studies indicate those who suffer from sleep disorders (sleep apnea, snore loudly, daytime sleepiness, sleep talking, sleep paralysis, frightening dreams) may have a greater risk of grinding their teeth.

Health And Lifestyle Risk Factors

·      Drugs and medications---Some studies have shown some psychotropic drugs (medicines that affect your mood), such as antidepressants and anti-psychotics may cause teeth grinding and clenching.

·      Complications of other conditions and diseases—include: Parkinson, Huntington are neurological disorders that affect the central nervous system and motor skills.

·      Trigeminal Neuralgia---symptoms of trigeminal neuralgia include: a very sharp, short, electric-type pain triggered by touching a specific area of the skin, may insight nausea (by washing, shaving, applying makeup, brushing the teeth, kissing or even by cold air)

·      Whiplash trauma

·      Fibromyalgia

·      Arthritis

·      Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

·      Sports Injury-- The joint is damaged by a blow or other impact

The standard allopathic treatments for TMD are: Dental splint (bite guard), Botox injections (to relax the muscles of the jaw), Surgery on the jaw, Dental surgery, Prescription-strength medications (pain medicines, muscle relaxers, or anti-inflammatory medications). These treatments are symptom relief therapy and require continuation of the therapy for life. Alternative therapies include: Chiropractic adjustment, Physical therapy, Acupuncture, Deep tissue massage, and Stretch exercises.

TMJ Disorders are painful and stressful. We tend to want relief from the pain NOW! As a result one may not make an informed choice when choosing a treatment modality. I caution you to do your research as some treatments such as dental surgery have lasting effects that cannot be undone. It is possible to sacrifice a healthy tooth and still the TMD continues.

I recommend you consider Sacro-Occipital Technique (SOT) Chiropractic. There are several different kinds of chiropractic techniques, theories and philosophy. Major Bertrand DeJarnette originated Sacro-Occipital Technique (SOT).  DeJarnette, a Chiropractor, Osteopath, and Engineer developed his technique in the 1920’s. His study created a system of adjusting patterns in the body: the most significant pattern was the relationship between the sacrum and occiput, which is at the base of the skull.

The SOT Chiropractor uses indicators across body systems to diagnose and treat the causes of pain. In the case of TMD, muscle tension in the sacrum may be initiating the muscle tension in connective tissue fibers at the base of the skull. The SOT Chiropractor is trained in adjusting the bones, and trigger points  of the skull from inside the mouth. (Trigger points are sensitive areas of the body that when stimulated or irritated cause a specific effect, especially a tender area, in a muscle that causes generalized musculoskeletal pain when over-stimulated.

Suggestions to Help TMD Symptoms:

•                Avoid overuse of jaw muscles---Eat soft foods, cut food into small pieces, stay away from sticky or chewy food, avoid chewing gum.

•                Stretching and massage--- a doctor, dentist or physical therapist can recommend stretching, and strengthening exercise, and demonstrate how to massage the muscles yourself. (Good techniques can be found on the internet)

•                Alternate heat or cold packs--Applying warm, moist heat (to increase blood circulation) or ice (to diminish inflammation) the side of your face may help alleviate pain.

•                Relaxation techniques--Consciously slowing your breathing and taking deep, regular breaths can help relax tense muscles, which can reduce pain.

•                Acupuncture-- Requires specialist trained in acupuncture

•                Biofeedback-- Requires specialist, therapist, or psychologist trained in electronic devices, or techniques that monitor muscle tension to help you practice effective relaxation techniques.

•                Cognitive behavioral therapy—to help manage stress or anxiety, a psychotherapist can help change bad behaviors, manage stress and anxiety a learn relaxation techniques.

http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/tmj/basics/symptoms/con-20043566

http://www.webmd.com/oral-health/guide/temporomandibular-disorders

http://www.tmjssymptoms.com/

http://www.tmjandheadache.com/tmd-symptoms/

http://www.sotousa.com/wp/?page_id=14959

http://www.drcharlesblum.com/About%20Us/Dentists%20and%20Chiropractors.pdf