5 Signs Your Headaches Could Be Caused by TMJ

Why Headaches Aren’t Always Just “Stress”

Headaches are one of the most common health complaints. Most people blame them on stress, lack of sleep, or too much screen time. While those factors can play a role, there’s another often-overlooked cause: your jaw.

The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) connects your jaw to your skull. When it’s out of balance, it can create strain on your muscles and nerves — and that strain often shows up as chronic headaches or even migraines.

At Nu Smile Dental, we specialize in diagnosing and treating TMJ disorders using advanced neuromuscular dentistry, a rare specialty that looks beyond simple nightguards to the root cause of jaw problems.

What Exactly Is TMJ?

TMJ stands for temporomandibular joint. It’s one of the most complex joints in the body, controlling how your jaw moves when you talk, chew, and swallow. When the joint or the muscles around it are out of alignment, the result is called TMD (temporomandibular disorder).

Because the jaw muscles are connected to the head, neck, and shoulders, problems here can ripple outward, creating pain in unexpected places — most commonly as headaches.

5 Signs Your Headaches May Be TMJ-Related

1. Jaw pain or tightness along with headaches
If your jaw feels sore, tired, or stiff in combination with headaches, your TMJ could be the source.

2. Clicking or popping when you chew or open wide
Joint noises paired with head pain are a strong indicator of imbalance.

3. Neck and shoulder tension with head pressure
The muscles connected to the jaw extend into the neck and shoulders, often creating tension headaches.

4. Worn or cracked teeth from grinding
Bruxism (clenching and grinding) is closely tied to TMJ issues and often leads to head pain.

5. Ringing in the ears or dizziness with headaches
The TMJ sits close to the ear canal, which is why some patients experience tinnitus or vertigo alongside headaches.

If several of these sound familiar, it’s worth considering a TMJ evaluation.

How Neuromuscular Dentistry Helps

Most dentists stop at prescribing a simple nightguard. While that may protect teeth from grinding, it doesn’t address the root cause of the problem.

At Nu Smile, we use neuromuscular dentistry to restore harmony between your teeth, jaw joints, and muscles. Our approach includes:

• TENS therapy: relaxing overworked muscles with gentle electrical stimulation.

• Computerized bite analysis (EMG, jaw tracking): measuring how your muscles and joints are functioning.

• Digital imaging and sonography: evaluating joint position and movement.

This deeper analysis allows us to uncover why your headaches are happening — and create a treatment plan to bring long-term relief.

Why Patients Choose Nu Smile

Dr. Art Kwan is one of the only dentists in the Sacramento and Placer County area trained at the Las Vegas Institute (LVI) and the Occlusion Connections Institute under Dr. Clayton Chan. Fewer than 3% of dentists worldwide pursue this advanced level of training.

This means patients who have struggled for years without answers finally find relief here. By addressing the cause instead of just masking the symptoms, our treatments not only reduce headaches but also protect your teeth and improve overall function.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will insurance cover TMJ treatment?
Coverage varies. Some parts of treatment may be covered, and financing options are available.

How long does treatment take?
Some patients feel relief after just a few visits. Others may need a longer treatment plan. We customize it to your needs.

Do I need surgery?
In most cases, no. Our treatments are non-invasive and focus on restoring balance, not surgery.

What’s the difference between a nightguard and neuromuscular treatment?
A nightguard simply prevents grinding damage. Neuromuscular treatment identifies and corrects the imbalance that causes grinding in the first place.

Take the First Step Toward Relief

If headaches, jaw pain, or facial tension are part of your daily life, don’t settle for quick fixes that don’t last. At Nu Smile, we’ll help you uncover the true cause of your discomfort and create a plan for lasting relief.

You don’t have to live with headaches. Call us today to schedule a TMJ consultation and start your journey back to comfort.