Understanding Root Canal Procedures

Could Your Child's Chronic Headaches Be Caused By TMJ Disorder?

10 November 2015

Diane Mason

If your child complains of frequent headaches, you may be looking at environmental causes -- anything from sitting too close to a television screen to exposure to perfume or other strong odors. You may even suspect a serious condition like a brain tumor or budding aneurysm. However, in some cases a throbbing headache may actually be caused by a treatable dental disorder known as TMJ. Read on to learn more about TMJ and how treating this condition could help ease your child's chronic pain. 

What is TMJ?

Temporomandibular joint disorder, or TMJ disorder, is a condition in which the joints that connect your child's jaw to his or her skull become inflamed, overworked, or out of alignment. This can lead to popping or clicking sounds when your child opens his or her mouth, pain while chewing or talking, or chronic headaches. In some severe cases, your child's jaw may even "lock" open or closed. 

What are some signs your child has TMJ?

While TMJ can sometimes be evident in the loud "pop" of a jaw, in some cases the only evidence of this disorder is in the form of a constant dull headache. This headache is usually caused by the grinding of teeth (common for TMJ sufferers) or strain in the neck and jaw muscles surrounding the joint. 

Your child's dentist may suspect TMJ if your child's teeth show evidence of grinding or if it's clear that your child is chewing only using one side of his or her jaw. In other cases, TMJ can be diagnosed with a CT scan that will show inflammation of the tissues surrounding this joint.

What treatment options are available for your child?

Fortunately, there are a number of ways to help treat TMJ disorder and ensure the continued health of your child's jaws and teeth. 

One of the most common treatment methods involves the use of a nighttime mouth guard to help align the jaw and prevent grinding. By keeping the jaw in a constant position during sleeping hours, this mouth guard will reduce strain on the joints and minimize pain over time. As a bonus, this mouth guard will help reduce the wear and tear on your child's teeth if he or she is a frequent grinder.

For older children or teens who don't respond well to a mouth guard, botox injections in or around the jaw line can be another viable option. This substance contains a toxin that helps paralyze certain muscles and nerves, reducing strain and treating headaches or migraines associated with TMJ disorder. 

Read more about pediatric dentistry here.

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