Don't Underestimate What Dentists Can Do For Chronic Headaches

Posted on 4/7/2018 by Dr. J. Derek Tieken

Headache relief at Tieken Smiles Dentistry

A headache every now and then isn't ideal, but it's also not going to have a big impact on your life.

You pop a couple of OTC pain relievers and are soon back to your normal self.

Headaches and migraines that stop you in your tracks and come on quite frequently are a totally other beast!

That's what we're talking about today.

At Tieken Smiles Dentistry, we want to help you stop that vicious, painful cycle with lasting solutions in our League City, TX dental office!

An Unlikely Cause Of Frequent Headaches

You've probably tried to attribute your headaches and migraines to all sorts of possible causes in hopes that you could take the appropriate steps to solve the problem.

If you've had no luck easing the frequency or pain level of these episodes, then it's time to consider another probable reason for them.

Your temporomandibular joint (or TMJ) is the hinge on both sides of your head connecting your skull and jaw, allowing you to open and close your mouth. When it's somehow out of alignment or under too much strain, it's known as TMJ disorder, or TMD.

As you might imagine, the fact that you use it on a constant basis makes potential problems with function understandable!

Here's where you should never underestimate what your dentist can do to ease your chronic headaches and other sources of pain. Keep reading to see what we mean!

TMJ Disorder Is More Than A Joint Problem

The problems you're experiencing might start as an isolated joint problem.

But it doesn't take long for TMJ disorder to affect a wider perimeter that includes your head, face, neck, and shoulders as well.

A couple of factors can contribute to your TMJ giving you fits:

•	An injury
•	Gradual shifting
•	Unmanaged stress
•	Bite problems
•	Teeth grinding / jaw clenching
•	Too much use

Before we move on, we want to point out one of these factors, teeth grinding and jaw clenching. Also called bruxism, this is often a behavior you don't even realize you're doing, and many times you do it while you're asleep.

Professional opinions about whether bruxism is causing TMJ disorder, or whether it's a product of the disorder.

Either way, it's a problem!

Ease TMJ Pain In League City, TX

For many patients, it's enough to simply keep their upper and lower teeth from touching during sleep with a custom night guard.

What this allows you to do is sleep without grinding your teeth and clenching your jaw involuntarily, and thus, relieve your jaw joint of all that stress and pressure.

The night guard, then, helps reduce or eliminate your painful headaches and migraines, and eventually, let your jaw heal itself.

It also protects your teeth from damage and wear!

Other patients, however, might need more extensive treatment to correct their jaw alignment by way of orthodontics, which we also offer in our League City, TX dental office.

Call Us Today For Help!

You can live pain-free again by letting our team at Tieken Smiles Dentistry help ease your TMJ symptoms in our League City, TX dental office.

Dr. Tieken has spent years creating customized night guards for patients who needed an affordable, effective solution for their chronic pain. These night guards fit comfortably and keep your jaw in the right position to avoid unnecessary pressure and tension on the joint.

Enjoy life again free from the miserable symptoms of jaw misalignment and protect your teeth in the process!

Call Tieken Smiles Dentistry at (281) 942-0444 or contact us to book a visit to our League City, TX dentist office.

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Beautifully written and very informative

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The Million Dollar Smile

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Bestselling Author, Dr. J. Derek Tieken launched his book, The Million Dollar Smile: Changing Lives with Cosmetic Dentistry in May 2018. The book was well received and climbed to the top of Amazon's bestsellers list a few weeks after its launch. The book's success was covered on CBS and ABC News, among other media channels, and now the book is available in our office for you to read!

The Million Dollar Smile: Changing Lives with Cosmetic Dentistry is a candid look at the cosmetic dentistry industry and offers insights from some of the leading experts in the field. The 12 professionals whose contributions make up this book were selected for their dedication and integrity in seeking the best dental solutions for their patients. These dentists offer factual and honest advice about cosmetic dentistry procedures and how they can benefit you.