From TMJ Pain to Relief: How Bite Correction Stopped One Patient’s Headaches
- Oraderm Care Clinic
- Nov 19
- 3 min read
Understanding the connection between your bite, jaw muscles, and long-term comfort
Many people think orthodontics is only about straightening teeth — but for some, the benefits reach far beyond aesthetics.
During a recent routine cleaning and two-year post-orthodontic check-up, one of our patients shared something remarkable: she hasn’t experienced a single headache since completing her orthodontic treatment.
She came in expecting just a regular check-up. Instead, she left with a realization:
her bite had been silently affecting her everyday comfort for years.
When Headaches Are More Than "Just Headaches”
Before treatment, our patient often dealt with headaches. She assumed it was stress, poor posture, heavy workload, or simply part of life.
What she didn’t realize was that her deep bite was putting extra tension on the jaw muscles responsible for chewing and stabilizing the jaw. Over time, this strain can contribute to:
Muscle fatigue
TMJ (temporomandibular joint) overload
Head, neck, or facial discomfort
Only after her bite was corrected — and she understood the cause — did everything finally start to make sense.
> Important note: Not all headaches come from bite problems or TMJ. But in some patients, an imbalanced bite can be an overlooked contributing factor.
What is a Deep Bite?
A deep bite occurs when the upper front teeth overlap the lower front teeth too much.
This may lead to:
Overworked jaw muscles
Strain on the temporomandibular joint (TMJ)
Clenching or grinding
Facial muscle fatigue
Chronic or recurring headaches
When the bite isn’t aligned properly, your muscles work harder with every chew, word, or swallow. Over time, that extra effort can create tension and discomfort.
In the before photo of this case, you’ll notice very little of her lower front teeth showing — a classic sign of a deep bite. In the after photo, more of her lower teeth are visible, reflecting a more balanced and functional bite.
How Orthodontics Reduced Her Headaches
Her treatment didn’t just straighten her teeth — it restored balance.
By correcting her deep bite, orthodontics helped:
Distribute biting forces more evenly
Reduce strain on the TMJ
Relax overworked jaw and facial muscles
Improve how the teeth, muscles, and joints work together
Remove the tension that had been contributing to her headaches
For this patient, the result was simple but life-changing:
no more headache episodes since completing treatment.
Beyond the Mirror: Orthodontics and Whole-Body Wellness
A healthy, balanced bite supports more than a nice smile. It can improve:
Chewing efficiency
Speech clarity
Facial symmetry
Long-term jaw joint health
Prevention of uneven enamel wear
Day-to-day comfort and confidence
Sometimes, the most meaningful changes are not what you see in the mirror —
they’re what you stop feeling, like constant tension or pain.
When Should You Get Your Bite Checked?
Your bite may be a factor if you experience:
Persistent headaches
Jaw or facial muscle soreness
Clicking or popping in the jaw
Teeth grinding (bruxism)
Uneven or excessive tooth wear
Difficulty opening your mouth fully
A deep bite, overbite, or visibly misaligned teeth
A quick orthodontic and TMJ-focused evaluation can help determine whether your bite is contributing to your symptoms.
Ready to Find Out If Your Bite Is Involved?
If you’ve been dealing with headaches or jaw discomfort you can’t fully explain, it may be more than just stress or posture — your bite and TMJ could be part of the story.
At Oraderm Care Clinic, we look at how your teeth, muscles, and jaw joints work together — not just how straight your teeth are.
Book an orthodontic and TMJ assessment today and let’s take a closer look at your bite.
A healthier, more comfortable smile may be closer than you think.
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