Headaches in Nashville, TN - Center for Advanced Dentistry

A headache can be very frustrating, even when you’re not suffering from the pain. Doctors often have a very hard time diagnosing the root cause of headaches. Some doctors may even dismiss the significance of your pain and not take them seriously. Most headache sufferers have visited several doctors and tried several treatments without success. If you are unhappy with your current headache treatment, you should consider that TMJ may be contributing to your headache.

If you are looking for a highly trained, deftly skilled, and deeply compassionate dentist in the Nashville, Tennessee area, then you’re looking for Dr. Forbes. To learn whether he is the dentist for you, please call (615) 383-6787 for an appointment at the Center for Advanced Dentistry in Nashville, TN.

Types of Headaches Associated With TMJ

TMJ is associated with two of the most common types of headaches, as well as some more unusual kinds. Just because your doctor has given you a diagnosis doesn’t mean that TMJ might not be involved. Here are some of the types associated with TMJ:

Tension headaches
Migraine headaches
Sinus headaches
Referred pain headaches

No matter what your headache diagnosis, if it is related to TMJ, TMJ treatment will reduce or resolve your headaches completely.

Tension Headaches and TMJ

Tension headaches are the most common type, accounting for perhaps 80-90% of all headaches. They are also the type most commonly associated with TMJ. In a tension headache, you may experience dull, diffuse pain on both sides of your head. Many people describe it as feeling like their head is being tightened in a vise or squeezed with a belt. The pain levels are described as being mild to moderate, but pain levels vary.

TMJ contributes to tension headaches because in TMJ your muscles are often overworked, tense, and tender. These muscle contractions aren’t directly the cause of your headache, but they contribute to the sensitization of your pain system, which is what leads to the headaches.

Migraines and TMJ

Migraines are complex headaches that are not commonly understood yet. They seem to derive from overstimulation of certain key nerves that trigger an adverse response in the brain. The brain releases vasodilators–hormones that cause blood vessels to expand–which create pain in the head because it leads to pressure on the brain. Migraines cause moderate to severe pain, typically on one side of the head, and they can last for a few hours or a few days. Many people experience symptoms before the migraine begins, such as bright lights or other visual artifacts, called an aura. Most also experience supplemental symptoms such as sensitivity to light, sound, or smells.

TMJ can cause migraines because tense jaw muscles can lead to overstimulation of the trigeminal nerve, the primary trigger point for migraines (though the vagus nerve might also be involved). The trigeminal nerve carries signals to and from the jaw muscles, and several branches of the trigeminal nerve wind under jaw muscles, giving many opportunities for overstimulation related to tense, overworked jaw muscles.

Sinus Headaches and TMJ

Most doctors agree that true sinus headaches are actually very rare. Instead, what people think of as sinus headaches are actually misdiagnosed migraines or tension headaches. Facial pain in the sinus regions (the face between the nose and eyes) is common in TMJ. Unless you are experiencing thick nasal discharge, and the pain resolves after a few days or goes away with antibiotic treatment, it’s likely that your so-called sinus headaches are actually TMJ related.

Referred Pain

Referred pain is an unusual condition in which pain from one part of the body is felt in another. This occurs because the brain has to interpret where pain signals are coming from along the trunk of a common nerve. Because the head and jaw communicate along the same nerve, jaw pain can be mistaken instead.

Is TMJ Responsible?

It is often hard to know whether TMJ is contributing to your headache pain. But if you have other TMJ symptoms (such as jaw pain, ringing in the ears, tooth pain not associated with decay, or excessive tooth wear), then it’s likely that TMJ is involved.

Dr. Forbes is a thorough neuromuscular dentist in Nashville, TN, and he will perform a comprehensive neuromuscular exam to determine an accurate diagnosis of your headache pain. If TMJ is involved, he will detect it and recommend an appropriate treatment.

If you live in Nashville, TN, or are prepared to travel for quality neuromuscular dentistry, please call (615) 383-6787 for an appointment at the Center for Advanced Dentistry.

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The new owner of Center For Advanced Dentistry, Dr. Mckinnon Forbes has done several procedures on me when was practicing in North Carolina and I... read more

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I had an amazing first experience at the Center for Advanced Dentistry. I felt prioritized, taken care of, and respected as a customer. For most... read more

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If you have dental anxiety, this is for you! In April of last year, I had to have a molar extracted (from a different dentist) and the experience... read more

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They deserve a 10 out of 10 from this patient!!! AHH-MAZING! We had a life changing experience for our household. When you have dental anxiety and... read more

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Dr. Forbes is THE BEST!!! Not only is he an expert in his field, he is personable, kind, and his staff made me comfortable at every turn. I gladly... read more

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I was extremely hesitant to try yet another dentist. I needed to get another opinion for my own peace of mind though, so I gave CFAD a try. I had... read more

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Sammie U.

If you have dental anxiety, this is for you! In April of last year, I had to have a molar extracted (from a different dentist) and the experience was quite horrible. I had already developed some dental anxiety prior to this, but this particular visit sent it through the roof. I knew I needed a new dentist and I wanted to find a holistic one who would align with my values and refer out to other practices as little as possible. I found Dr. Forbes at Center for Advanced Dentistry and scheduled a consult knowing I would eventually need an implant to replace my missing tooth. Crissy, their patient coordinator, spent almost three hours with me that first day! She was incredibly kind, great at helping educate me about the root causes of the issues going on in my mouth, patient answering all my questions, and so encouraging when I shared with her how much I struggled with anxiety when getting dental work done. Her passion for helping others in this field radiates through her and quickly helps build an immediate trust. We discussed several different options to best fit my timeline, budget, fears/anxiety, etc. I chose to have two additional teeth extracted (both were root canals that I had wanted out for years) and have implants placed in the, what would be three missing areas. At first, I had decided I wanted to be fully put under with anesthesia because I was so nervous about the procedure. But as we got closer, I started to wonder if I could do it without since it was so expensive, and overall not the healthiest option either. Dr. Forbes and Crissy encouraged me that I could do the procedure with alternative calming methods that they offer and that if at any point I felt like I couldn’t handle it, we could stop. Y’all, I don’t have the words to express the gratitude toward Dr. Forbes and the whole CAD office on surgery day. From their patience in waiting for me to be ready for them to start, to holding my hand and wiping away my tears. From Dr. Forbes communicating with me throughout the whole process, to pushing through seven hours with me in the chair to wrap up what I believe to be the best work anyone could have performed. I’m not even three days post-op and I can’t believe how little pain I’ve felt. I will never trust another dentist like I do Dr. Forbes and I can honestly say I’m less fearful now for future procedures. I look forward to the future dental work and corrections I’ve needed for such a long time! I never thought that would be possible. Thank you, Center for Advanced Dentistry!

Tamara B.

I was extremely hesitant to try yet another dentist. I needed to get another opinion for my own peace of mind though, so I gave CFAD a try. I had seen multiple friends post about them and from the look of their website and social media they looked like they aligned well with my holistic approach to health in general. Backstory: I have had a handful of dental emergencies as an adult, that always led to tooth removal. They were at traditional dentist offices that seemed to want the quick fix to everything. I believe my teeth probably could have been saved if I had known more about preventative oral health and the holistic mindset around teeth in general back then. Most dentists (at least the many that I have seen) do not educate you on full body functional health. They focus on service level in my opinion. I needed more than this. I was tired of not understanding. So I learned more about holistic options. I have a lot of anxiety seeing dentists because every visit for over a decade was always bad news. I need my bite corrected, a few implants, and some small fires to be put out. I don't need a celebrity smile like other doctors have pushed, and I very much like my smile how it is. What I need is better function of my overall health. I didn't want braces at 33 and the suggested gameplan from another doctor was many years of work. Going into CFAD today, I felt this huge weight and confusion over me. I was nervous and defeated, but I walked out empowered and confident! My consultation was more like having coffee with a friend. Crissy immediately helped my nerves dissipate with her personality and gentle demeanor. We talked for hours. The wealth of knowledge that was poured into me was exactly what I was searching for. She was very likeminded about health in general and made me feel safe to ask questions. She eased into the plan for my mouth and I never felt like she was rushing or waiting to move on to the next topic. I could have talked to her all day. She really made me completely comfortable before I even saw Dr. Forbes. So by the time he came in, I had zero anxiety. That alone is a miracle in itself, because it's never happened before. The plan for my mouth is different than I expected, but I am so excited for their expertise to be a success story for me. I actually understand the plan and why. Another first! I don't need to get braces, and it actually won't take much time at all to bring functionality back into my mouth. If you are on the fence about big dental work, I highly suggest meeting with Center for Advanced Dentistry for a consultation. I can't wait to start improving and healing my mouth with this amazing team.

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